Burgess Mee Family Law

Burgess Mee Family Law Boutique Family Law firm based in Clapham, Hammersmith and Islington, London.

Expert family lawyers at affordable prices

We are a specialist London family law practice. We have two decades of experience at top family law firms but our locations mean that we can offer clients our proven expertise and personal service at lower cost.

📌 Should You Speak to a Solicitor? Here's Why It Might HelpSolicitors sometimes get a bad rep - but the truth is, most a...
22/05/2025

📌 Should You Speak to a Solicitor? Here's Why It Might Help

Solicitors sometimes get a bad rep - but the truth is, most are focused on helping you avoid the stress and cost of going to court.

Whether you’re just starting your co-parenting journey or facing a specific disagreement, getting legal advice early on can help set clear parameters and keep things constructive.

👩‍⚖️ Not sure where to start?

Try the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor page or visit Resolution - a network of family law professionals committed to resolving disputes amicably.

📝 Before your meeting, a little prep goes a long way.

Put together a short summary that covers:
🔹The current arrangements
🔹What the issue is and how it’s come about
🔹Any proposals you’d like to make to resolve things
🔹Key details about your children (names, dates of birth, schools, ages)

💡 Why not ask a solicitor to help you create a parenting plan?

A good solicitor will have the experience to help you clearly and simply record the decisions you and your co-parent have made about how you want to move forward—and how any future issues should be handled.

📌 Resolving Disputes as Co-Parents: What Are Your Options?Every co-parenting relationship has its tough moments. If you'...
19/05/2025

📌 Resolving Disputes as Co-Parents: What Are Your Options?

Every co-parenting relationship has its tough moments. If you're stuck in a disagreement, what next?

We’ve rounded up some of the most common routes for resolving disputes and getting things back on track:

⚖️ Solicitor Support - Thinking of going it alone or just want a second opinion? A solicitor can offer guidance, clarity and options tailored to your situation.
🗣️ Mediation - A neutral space to talk things through with the help of a trained mediator. Often the first step to finding common ground.
🤝 Negotiation - If you can’t mediate, negotiate! But how does this work in practice and what do you need to know about it to succeed?
🚪 “Private” Court Processes - These are modern alternatives to the traditional courtroom, often quicker, less stressful and more flexible.
🏛️ Court - A last resort. But if it’s needed, we explain what the process involves so you know what to expect.

Recognition across the board for Burgess Mee in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide.We’re delighted to share that several members of ...
04/04/2025

Recognition across the board for Burgess Mee in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide.

We’re delighted to share that several members of the Burgess Mee team - and the firm itself - have been recognised in the latest Doyle's Guide rankings, which highlight the UK’s leading lawyers and law firms based on peer and client feedback.

 🔷 Peter Burgess – Recommended as a leading Family Law Mediator
🔷 Antonia Mee – Recommended as a leading Family & Divorce Lawyer
🔷 – Recommended as a leading Children Lawyer
🔷 – Named a Rising Star in Family Law

Burgess Mee is also ranked in the Third Tier of leading London Family & Divorce Law Firms.

A big thank you to everyone who recommended and reviewed us.

✈️ Taking your child abroad? Moving away? Know the rules.Taking your child out of the UK without the other parent’s perm...
24/03/2025

✈️ Taking your child abroad? Moving away? Know the rules.

Taking your child out of the UK without the other parent’s permission counts as abduction and it’s a criminal offence.

If you have a Child Arrangements Order stating the child lives with you, you can take them abroad for up to a month without consent. Otherwise, you’ll need the other parent’s agreement or a court order.

📅 Holidays: Most co-parents plan ahead. If you’re taking your child away, share flight details, destination, and contact info at least a week before travel.

🏡 Relocation: Whether moving abroad or within the UK, the court puts the child’s welfare first. It will look at:

✅ Where they’ll live and go to school
✅ How they’ll be supported
✅ How they’ll maintain a bond with the other parent

There are no hard and fast rules, so if relocation is on the cards, early legal advice is key.

💡 Are handovers with your ex full of tension? Even if they’re just a little frosty, your children feel it.Take five minu...
21/02/2025

💡 Are handovers with your ex full of tension? Even if they’re just a little frosty, your children feel it.

Take five minutes to step into their shoes:

📝 Try this exercise:

1️⃣ Grab a piece of paper and fold it in half.
2️⃣ On the left, write five words or phrases describing how handovers feel for your children. Is it awkward? Scary? Upsetting?
3️⃣ On the right, write five words for how you want them to feel. Calm? Safe? Easy?
4️⃣ What would it take to shift from the left side to the right? A smile? A simple hello? A deep breath before stepping out of the car?
5️⃣ Fold the paper up and keep it in your wallet. Before the next handover, read it and try to take one small step towards a better transition.

Handovers aren’t just about where your children go - they’re about how they feel during it.

📢 Have you made changes to improve handovers? Share what’s worked for you below! ⬇️

💡 Connection, not correction – why it matters!Divorce is tough on children. With so much change and uncertainty, they ca...
12/02/2025

💡 Connection, not correction – why it matters!

Divorce is tough on children. With so much change and uncertainty, they can easily slip into ‘survival mode’, making them more prone to acting out. But the key to guiding them through it isn’t correction - it’s connection.

Parenting coach Bernadette Najjar of Thrive Together Parenting shares why children need to feel safe and understood before they can listen, learn and regulate their emotions.

✅ Acknowledge their feelings – “I see that you’re really upset, and that’s okay.”

✅ Use non-verbal connection – a hug, a soft tone, or simple eye contact can make all the difference.

✅ Regulate yourself first – a calm parent creates a calm child.

When children feel connected, they trust, communicate and cope better. Start with empathy and the rest will follow.

Read the full blog on The Happy Co-Parent website, link in bio.

If you cannot communicate well as parents, co-parenting simply won’t work. Good communication starts with listening to t...
04/02/2025

If you cannot communicate well as parents, co-parenting simply won’t work.

Good communication starts with listening to the other person - even if you don’t agree - and responding calmly.

Be aware of your triggers, know when to step back if things get heated and use neutral language to keep conversations focused and constructive.

Most importantly, always put yourself in your children’s shoes. Seeing things from their perspective ensures their wellbeing remains the shared goal you’re working towards.

🤝 Strong communication leads to a more stable and supportive environment for your children.

💬 How do you approach communication in co-parenting? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️

💡 Marcie’s Advice:If your ex is using your children to communicate instead of speaking with you directly, it’s time to a...
03/02/2025

💡 Marcie’s Advice:

If your ex is using your children to communicate instead of speaking with you directly, it’s time to address the issue head-on - for the sake of your children.

👉 Here’s what to do:

1️⃣ Contact your ex and suggest sitting down to talk. Focus on the children’s needs and explain how important their stability is, which comes from parents being able to communicate.
2️⃣ Approach the conversation without blame or guilt. Keep it constructive and centred on the children’s wellbeing.
3️⃣ Acknowledge your ex’s reluctance to engage but stress the value of having an open communication channel so your children feel supported by both parents.
4️⃣ Think forward - not back. Focus on solutions and what you can both do for the future.

Prioritising your children’s mental wellbeing is key. Open communication doesn’t just help you - it makes a world of difference to them.

Co-Parenting Holiday Tip 10: Inclusive Traditions and Lasting Memories ✨Holidays are a wonderful opportunity to celebrat...
23/12/2024

Co-Parenting Holiday Tip 10: Inclusive Traditions and Lasting Memories ✨

Holidays are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your family’s diversity. Honour all aspects of your children’s identity by creating inclusive traditions that reflect love, gratitude, and generosity.

✨ Celebrate diversity in family holidays.
💛 Focus on shared values to foster connection and belonging.
🌟 Embrace every part of your children’s identity—including elements tied to your co-parent’s background.

Final Thought ✨

Your children will remember not just the holidays themselves, but the love and understanding they experienced. Take care to ensure your words, tone, and actions reflect your deep prioritisation of their well-being.

By focusing on connection and compassion, you can create a season filled with warmth and joy that they’ll carry with them forever.

We hope you have enjoyed our 10 days of Co-Parenting Holiday Tips from our sister site, The Happy Co-Parent. A special thank-you to Bernadette Najjar of Thrive Together Parenting for her advice.

👉 Click below to read all ten tips:
https://www.thehappycoparent.com/the-learning-zone/



Co-Parenting Holiday Tip 9: Practise Self-Compassion ✨The holidays can be emotionally challenging, especially if it’s no...
21/12/2024

Co-Parenting Holiday Tip 9: Practise Self-Compassion ✨

The holidays can be emotionally challenging, especially if it’s not your turn to have your children close. During these moments, remember to:

💛 Be kind to yourself: Acknowledge and allow your emotions without judgment.
🌟 Take care of your well-being: Self-compassion helps you extend kindness and patience to others, including your co-parent.
✨ Set a positive example for your children: Showing resilience and self-care teaches them valuable life skills.

Taking care of yourself allows you to show up as the best version of yourself for your children—and that’s a gift they’ll always cherish. 🎁

Our sister site, The Happy Co-Parent, continues its 10 Days of Co-Parenting Christmas Tips with this advice from parenting coach, Bernadette Najjar of Thrive Together Parenting.

👉 Click below to read more:
https://www.thehappycoparent.com/learning-zone/10-top-tips-for-a-magical-coparenting-holiday-tip-9/



Co-Parenting Holiday Tip 8: Cooperate Your Care ✨The holidays can be emotional for children trying to understand two hom...
20/12/2024

Co-Parenting Holiday Tip 8: Cooperate Your Care ✨

The holidays can be emotional for children trying to understand two homes. Sharing the responsibility of emotional support ensures your kids feel safe, loved, and understood.

💛 Don’t leave the “emotional stuff” to one parent—teamwork matters!
💛 Show them their well-being is your shared priority, even in difficult times.

This is one of the greatest gifts you can give them this holiday season.

Our sister site, The Happy Co-Parent, continues its 10 Days of Co-Parenting Christmas Tips with this advice from parenting coach, Bernadette Najjar of Thrive Together Parenting.

👉 Click below to read more:
https://www.thehappycoparent.com/learning-zone/10-top-tips-for-a-magical-coparenting-holiday-tip-8/



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