The Family Law Company

The Family Law Company The Family Law Company is the South West's leading specialist family law practice.

Founded in 1991, The Family Law Company (formerly known as Hartnell Chanot & Partners) has grown to become the largest family law solicitors in the South West with offices in Exeter, Plymouth and Taunton. Our family law solicitors promote a problem solving approach and lead the way in constructive methods of resolving family disputes. Our core ethos is:
- to protect the vulnerable
- to find fair s

olutions between separating couples/parents
- to keep children at the centre of all of its actions and advice ; and
- to address the underlying sources of conflict. We know that going through a divorce or separation is an extremely emotional and stressful experience and our family law specialists work extremely hard to make the process as painless as possible and to be fully supportive. All our family law solicitors have many years' experience in handling complex and demanding divorce/family cases. Specialities - Divorce & Separation, Children Issues, Unmarried Couples, Domestic Abuse, Mediation, Collaborative Law, Family Arbitration, Adoption, Grandparents Rights, Pre and Post-nuptial agreements

Following a warning from the children’s commissioner that England’s use of unregulated placements for vulnerable childre...
05/06/2026

Following a warning from the children’s commissioner that England’s use of unregulated placements for vulnerable children has become a ‘national scandal’ – with cases rising by more than 370% in five years – our director and experienced care lawyer Kirsty Thyer explores the legal duties local authorities owe to children in care with Today's Family Lawyer

Why the lack of regulated homes puts local authorities between a rock and a hard place: Following a warning from the children’s commissioner that England’s use of unregulated placements for vulnerable children has become a 'national scandal'

23/05/2026

We are looking forward to attending and want to give you the opportunity to attend to!

Like, share and tag who’d you would take for a chance to win two tickets.

21/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to our annual Family Law Charity Quiz last night at

It was great to see different professionals from across the legal and family law community all raising money for

Your generosity and enthusiasm made for a fabulous evening. Well done to our winners Walnut House Barristers.

18/05/2026

Have you seen our TV advert yet? You'll find us on before Loose Women this morning on ITV!

Family Law in a Digital Age: Technology, AI and informed decision-making.  In our recent blog post Rachel Buckley MD and...
13/05/2026

Family Law in a Digital Age: Technology, AI and informed decision-making. In our recent blog post Rachel Buckley MD and Specialist Divorce and Finance Lawyer explains how, within the legal profession itself, AI is already being used constructively and responsibly. Many specialist legal systems now use AI to streamline the research process, helping lawyers identify relevant case law, legislation and precedents more efficiently. This allows legal professionals to spend more time applying experience, judgement and nuance to a client’s individual circumstances. In this context, AI supports — rather than replaces — expert legal advice.

The challenges arise when technology moves from a professional support tool to a client‑facing substitute for advice.

https://www.thefamilylawco.co.uk/blog/alternatives-to-court/family-law-in-a-digital-age-technology-ai-and-informed-decision-making/

WOW! What an incredible day supporting Exeter Pride on Saturday. We’re really proud to be sponsors again this year and t...
11/05/2026

WOW! What an incredible day supporting Exeter Pride on Saturday. We’re really proud to be sponsors again this year and to stand alongside a community that champions inclusion, visibility and kindness.

We also hosted our 5th Brave Leader Lunch in our Exeter office. The conversation in the room was open, thoughtful and at times challenging in the best possible way. We explored how organisations can create cultures where people feel safe to be themselves and learnt from lived experiences that really stayed with us long after the afternoon ended.

At The Family Law Company, we believe brave conversations make us better leaders. Through our family law work, we have the privilege of seeing a true 360 degree view of people, families and relationships at some of the most difficult moments in their lives. It’s a perspective that constantly reminds us how important empathy, understanding and listening really are.

In a world that can feel increasingly divided, spaces that encourage curiosity over judgement matter more than ever.

We have a team dedicated to clients from new client calls to client experience and feedback throughout their cases with ...
06/05/2026

We have a team dedicated to clients from new client calls to client experience and feedback throughout their cases with us. Here's some recent feedback from Rachel Buckley and Ellisha O'Brien's client.

“Rachel and Elisha were both empathetic and efficient. You made a hugely stressful part of my life a little more bearable, so thank you for everything you have done.”

We are asked lots of questions about parental responsibility.Family Solicitor Thomas Glover has shared a clear and pract...
04/05/2026

We are asked lots of questions about parental responsibility.

Family Solicitor Thomas Glover has shared a clear and practical blog explaining when being named as a father on a child’s birth certificate does – and doesn’t give you parental responsibility.

If you’re dealing with family arrangements involving children, we are here to help.

👉 Read Tom’s blog https://www.thefamilylawco.co.uk/blog/family-disputes-involving-children/i-am-named-as-the-father-on-the-birth-certificate-do-i-have-parental-responsibility/

We’re delighted to share that we’ve been shortlisted for three Devon & Somerset Law Society Awards.• Emma Hawkins - Para...
30/04/2026

We’re delighted to share that we’ve been shortlisted for three Devon & Somerset Law Society Awards.

• Emma Hawkins - Paralegal of the Year

• Jane Chanot Leader of the Year

• Law Firm of the Year (£4M+)

A huge thank you to our incredible team for their dedication and hard work. We’re proud to see it recognised. 💙⚖️

We’re incredibly proud to share that Natalie Symons has been named, for the second time, on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognitio...
27/04/2026

We’re incredibly proud to share that Natalie Symons has been named, for the second time, on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales.

For us, this recognition is about much more than hours recorded. It speaks to why we do the work we do.

At Family Law Company, we work with people at some of the most vulnerable and difficult moments in their lives. Our core value of being brave means stepping forward when it would be easier not to. Using our expertise, time and compassion to support individuals and families who may otherwise have nowhere to turn.

Pro bono work plays a vital role alongside legal aid, helping widen access to justice and ensuring that support is available when it is most needed.

Natalie’s continued recognition reflects a long‑term commitment to this principle, and to standing up for those who need a voice.

We’re proud of Natalie, proud of the values we share, and proud to be part of a profession that continues to give back to its communities.

Address

Exeter, Plymouth And Truro
Exeter
EX11NP

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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