Our rapidly expanding Family Department deals with all family matters including Divorce, Co-Habitation Disputes, Children Issues, Domestic Violence and Child Abduction.

Our key fee earners in the Department each specialise in a separate area.

Emma Carey who heads the Department specialises in Child Abduction and Care cases.

Paula Mansfield specialises in private client work, concentrating on Divorces and Ancillary Relief. 

Nicola Wordley specialises in all aspects of Children Proceedings, both Private and Public Law.

Hayley Catherall specialises in Co-Habitation Disputes and Domestic Violence issues.

Emma Graham specialises in all Family Law.

Jane Sampson specialises in Children cases and in particular Care cases.

Suzanne Mushrow specialises in all Family matters.

We have a Private Client Department as well as a Legal Aid Department and we hold a Legal Services Commission franchise which enables us to supply Legal Aid in Matrimonial cases.

At MSB Solicitors, our Family lawyers are members of The Law Society and Resolution specialist panels, so you can be assured that you are receiving expert specialist advice. Our family team panel members are:

Emma Carey
Law Society Family Law Panel
Resolution Accredited Specialist in International Child Abduction and Domestic Violence

Paula Mansfield
Law Society Family Law Panel
Resolution trained Collaborative Lawyer
Resolution Accredited Specialist in Emergency Procedures in Ancillary Relief and advanced financial provision

Jane Sampson
Law Society Children Panel

Nicola Wordley
Law Society Family Law Panel

Hayley Catherall
Resolution Accredited specialist in Domestic violence and Co-Habitation

For further information on the specialist panels that we are members of please see the links below:
http://www.resolution.org.uk/
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing/specialise.law

View our Case Studies

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Meet The Team

Emma Carey - Head of Family Department

Emma Carey is a graduate of Liverpool University having lived in Liverpool all her life. Emma qualified as a Solicitor with the firm in June 2000 and is the head of the firm's family department. Emma became a Partner In June 2005.

She specialises in divorce, financial disputes, children issues including care proceedings, co-habitation disputes and she has a particular interest in domestic violence issues. Emma has dealt with a number of international children cases including child abduction. Emma's clients appreciate her caring and understanding approach.

Away from the office she enjoys socialising with her wide network of friends.

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Paula Mansfield - Associate Solicitor

Paula graduated from Hull University in 1995 and qualified as a Solicitor in April 2000 having graduated with a LLB(Hons) Degree. She joined the practice in October 2007 and was made an associate in March 2009. Paula has a wealth of experience of all family matters involving the breakdown of a marriage and has advised on pre-nuptial agreements and complex financial settlements.

In addition, Paula can deal with matters involving unmarried couples and civil partnerships and can provide advice as to whether a cohabitation contract would be appropriate at the commencement of a relationship or, following a cohabiting couple’s separation on disputes involving property or children matters.

Paula is an accredited member of the Family Law Panel. 

Paula is also an accredited Resolution specialist in the areas of Advanced Financial Provision and Emergency Procedures in Ancillary Relief.  Resolution is an organisation of over 5000 members of the legal profession who are committed to a non-confrontational approach to family matters. However, if matters cannot be resolved by negotiation then Paula is an experienced advocate in the family courts and will be pro active in ensuring a satisfactory outcome for her clients. 

Paula is a collaborative lawyer.  The aim of collaborative law is to resolve family disputes without going to court.  Each person appoints their own lawyer but instead of conducting negotiations between you and your partner by letter or phone you meet together with your lawyers to work things out face to face.
 
In her spare time, Paula is a keen fitness fanatic and enjoys circuit training and running. In addition Paula enjoys the theatre, reading and travelling. To view Paula's alternative profile - click here

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Nicola Wordley - Associate Solicitor

Nicola or (Nikki as she is known to her clients and colleagues) graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2004 and joined MSB as a trainee solicitor in 2005. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2007 and is now an Associate Solicitor within the firm's matrimonial department.

Nikki is an accredited Family Law specialist.
 
Nikki has a particular interest in child law, including child abduction and also matters involving domestic violence and harassment.

Outside of work Nikki's main interest is relaxing and socialising with friends and travelling in order to facilitate her favourite hobby....scuba diving.

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Jane Sampson - Solicitor

Jane Sampson is our specialist In House Advocate Solicitor with over 20 years experience in all aspects of Family Law specialising in Advocacy at all levels. She has been a member of the Child Care Panel for over 18 years providing representation for parents and children in the courts through this very stressful process.   She also undertakes training for the Law Society for Child Care Panel Membership and regularly lectures for Liverpool Law Society in Family Law.

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Emma Palmer - Associate Solicitor

Emma is a graduate of the University of Leicester and is a Solicitor in the firm's family department. Emma undertakes work in: divorce, children matters, financial matters and protection from domestic violence (non-molestation and occupation orders). Emma has a particular interest in care proceedings having completed a masters degree with her research dissertation on 'the Human Rights Act in the context of care proceedings'. Emma's clients appreciate her understanding nature and dedication to achieving the best possible outcome.
 
Emma is a member of a number of associations including the Association of Women's Solicitors and Women's Aid.

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Hayley Catherall - Legal Executive

Hayley qualified as a Legal Executive in 2000 and became a Fellow in 2002, having worked in Solicitor’s offices since leaving full-time education and in Family Law Departments since she was aged 20.  Hayley has a wealth of experience in all aspects of Family Law, dealing with divorce and financial matters relating thereto, children matters; including residence and contact issues; to include children issues with social services involvement.

Hayley is an Accredited Resolution Specialist in the area of Co-habitation and can provide detailed advice with respect to unmarried relationship breakdown and with respect to the preparation of Co-habitation agreements.

Hayley is also an Accredited Resolution Specialist with respect to domestic violence and remains committed to assisting both men and women who have been victims of domestic violence.

Hayley prides herself on being approachable and caring by nature with a sensible approach to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients.

Outside of work Hayley enjoys walking and travel, together with socialising with her large family and friends. 

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Suzanne Mushrow - Family Executive

Suzanne joined MSB in March 2008 as a secretary within our Family Department.  Prior to this she previously worked as a Paralegal within Family Law and been a Secretary/Paralegal for 6 years, during which time she has completed ILEX level 3.  Suzanne has successfully completed Family Law and Family Practice at ILEX Level 6 and is working towards completing her studies to qualify as a Legal Executive. Not long after joining MSB she was given the opportunity to assist Nicola Wordley and gained a range of experience with regards to domestic violence and children issues including advocacy skills.  At present Suzanne is now handling divorce cases, private law children act cases and domestic violence work.  In her spare time her interests include reading and going to local music gigs, she also enjoys dress making  but realistically shopping is her preferred pastime.

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Stacey Roberts - Legal Assistant

Whilst starting my career as an office junior, I joined MSB as a Secretary and was soon given keen encouragement to develop a broad range of legal skills to the extent that I successfully completed, part-time, a Paralegal Course and am currently  in the 2nd year of my ILEX studies.
 
I have since been given the opportunity to assist Hayley Catherall in our Family Department and with her guidance am enjoying an active involvement in a diverse range of cases.
 
My interests outside of work include the usual mundanity of socialising and the not so mundane art of theatrical and media make-up

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Stephanie Houghton - Legal Assistant

Stephanie joined the Family Team at MSB in January 2009 having worked within Family since the age of 17.  Stephanie was subsequently awarded the Resolution Family Law Assistant Certificate in May 2010 providing recognition of experience and knowledge in relation to family matters 

Stephanie is presently an Affiliate member of the Institute of Legal Executives continuing to study to qualify as a Legal Executive .

Stephanie is also a committee member of the ILEX Liverpool Branch.

Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, shopping and spending time with friends and family.

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Amelia Williams - Trainee Solicitor

Amelia graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2007 and completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Chester in 2008.
 
Amelia worked as a Paralegal for 18 months before joining MSB in May 2010, starting her Training Contract in September 2010.
 
Amelia is currently enjoying her role in the Matrimonial department.
 
In her free time Amelia enjoys spending time with family and socialising with friends.

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Phillipa Jones - Solicitor

Philippa (or Pippa as she is known to clients and colleagues) graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2006 and completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in 2007. Philippa joined MSB in April 2008 working as a paralegal, commencing her training contract in September 2008.

Philippa is currently part of our Matrimonial department and has a particular interest in divorce and ancillary relief.

In her spare time Philippa enjoys socialising with friends and interior design.  Philippa is also a committee member of the Association of Women's Solicitors (AWS).
 
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