Miles & Partners team among London’s top-ranking law firms in 2023 Legal 500

We are delighted that Miles & Partners once again sits among top-ranking law firms in London in the 2023 Legal 500 rankings for UK Solicitors.

The firm has firmly retained its high tier ranking for three of its core practice areas: family law, mediation, and Court of Protection. We are also delighted that the social housing law department has been newly ranked for 2023.

Sixteen of our lawyers are also highly recommended within their respective fields for their expert knowledge and continued dedication to achieving the best outcomes for their clients.

A leading family law team

The ‘outstanding’ family law department is praised by the Legal 500 for taking an ‘extremely child-centred approach’ to a broad spectrum of cases, from child proceedings involving child abduction, forced marriages and genital mutilation to pre-nuptial agreements and complicated TOLATA.

Amanda Dench, head of abduction and child disputes is a ‘fountain of knowledge’ with an ‘extraordinary client commitment.’ The Legal 500 recognises she ‘is clearly a leader in international child abduction and children law and her wealth of experience and approach to the work is reflected in her team’.

Acknowledged as an ‘excellent lawyer’ and specialist in child care law, managing partner Kate Hammond, has ‘the rare ability to explain complex legal information to children in a manner that is clear yet not patronising’. She ‘delivers for her clients, is well-liked by colleagues and is a mentor for juniors.’ Kate ‘has worked on a number of reported and high-profile cases in recent years but takes this in her stride and treats every case in the same way.’

Other partners to be recommended include Gemma Hodder, Lorraine Green and Ritu Sood. Congratulations to Gemma who is also identified as a next-generation partner for the third year running and described as ‘outstanding, respected by her clients, opponents and judges.’

Michelle Uppal, head of the matrimonial law department is described as ‘very hardworking’ and ‘excellent in assisting clients through the minefields of separation and divorce and the issues which arise’. She is highly praised by peers for running an ‘efficient’ and ‘ethical’ team.

Others who receive a recommendation include solicitors Linda Pope, Katie Coles, Harriet Brame and Mary Richardson.

Solicitor Mary Richardson received some particularly excellent testimonials, citing her ‘ability to work under pressure, knowledge and understanding of the law and the issues’. Her client care skills are noted as ‘impressive’ and she is acknowledged to be ‘a rising star in public law care proceedings’. The Legal 500 says she is ‘exceptionally talented… loves cases with complex medical/scientific issues’ and ‘explores every avenue on behalf of her clients.’ One KC also said she had drafted the ‘best client statement he had ever read’.

‘Outstanding junior solicitor’ Harriet Brame also received some lovely feedback: ‘Harriet’s clients respect her and are incredibly grateful for her hard work’.

Ethical family mediation

The family mediation department was praised for Michelle Uppal’s ‘skilled’ work in helping couples and families to reach amicable agreements in the aftermath of separation or divorce. One testimonial highlighted how ‘Michelle Uppal is the only person I have referred to for mediation and I hear good reports from clients that she is fair but firm’.

Experts in mental health & capacity: Court of Protection

The Court of Protection team of ‘highly experienced specialist practitioners’ was commended for ‘providing clients with a real sense of reassurance and confidence that their matter will be handled well.’

The joint heads of the department, Rachel Turner and Floyd Porter were both recommended as top lawyers in the field of mental health and capacity and the Court of Protection.

Rachel Turner received some fantastic feedback which complimented her unique expert knowledge of mental capacity law: ‘Rachel Turner advised me and she certainly knows mental capacity law inside out. I value her expertise and her insight … she always responds promptly and there were some important deadlines which she helped to manage effectively’.

Floyd Porter is described as having ‘a very calm manner and takes everything in his stride’.

Other key mental health & capacity solicitors recognised include Andrew Bowmer who held his status as a rising star. He is a ‘very experienced and highly specialist in Court of Protection practice’ who ‘is always up-to-date on the latest legal developments’.

Kaileigh Hazeldine also retained her status as a highly recommended lawyer in the field.

‘Go-to’ social housing law expertise

Our ‘small but dedicated’ social housing law team was highlighted as ‘one of the go-to firms in East London’. The Legal 500 commended ‘the firm’s wider expertise across a range of areas, including family law, community care and mental health, means they are able to consider clients’ situations in the round and advise them on a range of inter-connected issues that might arise.’

Head of the housing team, Lou Crisfield is described to be ‘one of the very best housing lawyers in social housing, and one of the best to work with.’ Further feedback for Lou confirmed her thorough organisation and meticulous background research: ‘Lou Crisfield is amazing. She is a pleasure to work with as she prepares a case fully.’

Partner Rajea Sultana, who recently won the Housing Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award, is ‘an unsung legend in the field, who provides some of the best representations for her clients on homelessness cases’. She ‘works tirelessly for clients [and] she is funny which is a massive attribute in a difficult area of work.’

It is wonderful to hear that one referee would ‘always recommend Rajea and Lou whenever someone is looking for a safe pair of hands.’

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.