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I lead the Irwin Mitchell's family law team in Bristol and have an extensive client base across the UK, most notably in London.
I've been a family law specialist for over 20 years with extensive experience in both the financial and Children Act litigation that can arise out of relationship breakdown. I am also collaboratively trained and have built up a substantial practice in this alternative way to resolve the issues faced on separation.
I believe that expert advice is essential to enable separating couples to deal with the practical and legal issues that face them on separation in the most effective manner. I am particularly aware that clients are very conscious of costs in these difficult economic times and am always happy to work with them to provide a legal service that suits their financial circumstances.
"Simply brilliant" - Legal 500, 2018/19
"Nice client-handling skills", and also point out her "very good breadth of knowledge." - Chambers & Partners, 2019
Praised for her "sensible and straightforward" manner; "She has a calm and unflappable presence, and is always available. Clients find her really reassuring and a constant support. - Chambers & Partners 2017
Sources describe her as “highly intelligent and highly focused,” highlighting her “strong and well-deserved reputation.” - Chambers & Partners 2016
She favours a collaborative approach, and garners praise for her "ability to turn legal terminology into easily understood language." - Chambers & Partners 2015
I enjoy the constructive aspects of advising client in difficult times, helping them with their options in moving forward and resolving the challenging circumstances that they face.
I enjoy being a member of a national law team with all the support and resources that this brings. The Bristol team has lots of local knowledge that enables us to provide our clients with the best possible service.
Away from the office I am kept very busy by my own family I am the mother of teenage boys and therefore have a second career as a taxi driver and cash machine!
When I have time to myself I enjoy running and gardening and simply spending time with my friends and family.
“Laura is an excellent addition to the Irwin Mitchell team. Having recently qualified as a solicitor, we’re excited to be attracting new talent like Laura and also Satya who joined a couple of months ago. “Laura will also work with the national team, which has gone from strength to strength and continues to grow as we recruit some excellent people. “Bristol has a lot to offer when it comes to family law and the sector is quickly growing. With talented new hires like Laura we’re looking ahead to being at the forefront of the south west region for family law and private client work.”
“We’re delighted that Satya has joined our team in Bristol, and we’re confident she will be a great strength for us as well as the national team. “Satya’s arrival here in Bristol makes our outfit one of the largest family law teams in the south west region. We’re very pleased to be attracting new talent alongside our experienced solicitors and hope that we will continue to grow our expertise and market presence in the future. “We’re all looking forward for Satya’s career as a solicitor to begin at Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth and know she will settle in well.”
“We are delighted to be expanding our team with the addition of Marjha, who has an excellent track record having previously led a team. “Marjha’s experience will allow us to service the south west region and our clients even more effectively, as well as strengthen the wider national family law team. “We are going through an exciting period of growth at Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth and I know Marjha will be a great asset to the team, both here in Bristol and nationally.”
“Mrs Hart has always sought a fair settlement on established principles that reflect the length of her marriage and her contribution to it. “She has behaved in an exemplary fashion in conducting the proceedings which were extraordinarily difficult, lengthy and costly due to the lack of information from Mr Hart. “It is disappointing that the Court has once again erred in the favour of Mr Hart. Given that the couple were married for 23 years, the settlement should have been based on an equal sharing of the assets they created between them during this time. Any difficulty in separating the matrimonial assets from the non-matrimonial in this case is entirely the result of Mr Hart’s refusal to provide relevant information which was available to him. “It appears unfair that in these circumstances that it is Mrs Hart who must bear the consequences, and surprising that the Court of Appeal has now endorsed this unfairness. “For nearly 20 years it has been settled principle that divorcing spouses should share equally in the fruits of their matrimonial partnership. Mr Hart frustrated that enquiry by his refusal to provide relevant information, and has been allowed to reap the benefits. Mrs Hart maintains that this is unfair and sets a dangerous precedent. “The decision of the Court of Appeal leaves the law in a state of flux; it allows a Trial Judge to find that even where it is not properly evidenced, the financial contribution of one spouse outweighs the family and domestic contribution of the other. This can lead to a result that is unfair and discriminatory, as it has done in this case. More such results are likely to follow, with the potential to set the law back more than 20 years.”
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