Testimonials

I've worked with Robert Cresswell both in court proceedings and in the collaborative process where financial advice is required, especially pensions. Robert has a wide financial expertise and also good links to get information which is not immediately within his expertise, e.g. foreign pensions. Robert has a very friendly and positive manner which clients appreciate. Frequently I have approached him about one element of the case but his comprehensive approach has meant he has also given advice about other aspects. A good resource to have on board to help crack any tricky aspects of a case.

I have worked with Robert on collaborative cases. I have found his approach helpful and he has generated some interesting options for our respective clients.

Fantastic service, very supportive. The advice was clear and easy to understand. Thank you for your sterling work. I am so pleased that I chose you to represent me.

I split up with my wife after 30 years, we were going our separate ways but still had teenage children and wanted everything kept amicable but fair. I rang Alison, having walked into a local family solicitors with my wife, naively hoping that we could both agree the whole thing with the same solicitor, but coming out facing the shock that we had to have separate solicitors and one of us had to petition the other for unreasonable behaviour or adultery! This shock of course was not the fault of the solicitor but of our limited knowledge. We both wanted to avoid any disputes or wrangles at all costs, but also both had fears of costly or even obstructive solicitors delaying everything and setting us up against each other by writing letters to each other about every small financial matter. I came across the concept of collaborative law in a book about divorce and then on the internet, and liked the idea. Alison’s name was listed as someone accredited as a collaborative lawyer.

From the very first phone call right through to the end of the process, I found Alison to be easy to talk to, courteous, calm, reasonable and practical. She also was very honest in advising me early on not to let the process become a counselling one – at such a difficult time, a sympathetic ear is so lovely and soothing to find, but this is not a service for which one wishes to pay solicitor’s hourly rates!. . Alison established rapport with me instantly, but also always kept the conversation focused and purposeful . The actual meetings to resolve the financial and childcare side went very well, and I am sure much more quickly than could have been done by the traditional route of solicitor’s letters back and forth. Quickly we decided together who would be petitioner and respondent, and to split those costs equally too. Alison did not fit the stereotype of divorce lawyers that I had heard so much about, was always easy to contact, and responded to me courteously and quickly.

The settlement we reached was one that we were both ok with, and the real proof of this is that over 5 years have passed since and everything remains amicable between myself and my ex. The children stayed with me, but have grown up, and still have lots of contact with us both.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Alison to anyone who is going into separation and divorce and wants to keep things calm, fair and sensible. So much so that I have since recommended her to another friend facing divorce. Her hourly rate may not be cheap, but in terms of quality of service, it was worth every penny’

Robert is professional at all times and his down to earth approach means that he is able to communicate with all who work with him and ensure that his advice is clear and understood by all. I would not hesitate to recommend him to other professionals or individuals.

Robert has worked with me and collaborative colleagues on a number of cases. Clients value his commonsense and pratical approach. He makes complex issues easy to understand and is very personable.In addition he has a wealth of knowledge and an ability to "think outside the box". I have no hesitation in recommending him.

I have used Irwin Mitchell in Leeds since the middle of 2010 on a referral from another lawyer. I consider myself very lucky to have been introduced to them. As tough is it is to go through the divorce process I have never once questioned the capabilities, commitment or legal knowledge of Peter Morris. He has been very professional and his work on my case exemplary. He has shown commitment, knowlaedge of the law, and understanding of the task at hand. I rate Irwin Mitchell a 10 out of 10.

I just wanted to say how very grateful I am to you. You've been a calm and supportive presence during what has been an enormously difficult time, and your advice has been invaluable. I'm very glad that we went down the collaborative route, and I think that your experience did much to smooth the path for everyone. Thank you.

I worked with Robert on a collaborative case which required not only a detailed knowledge of a range of financial issues but also an ability to communicate this effectively. Robert ticked both boxes and also brought to the meetings a creative approach which was of benefit to all involved.

Dear Michaela,
This is just to say a huge thank you for working so hard, skilfully and effectively to achieve a successful completion to a difficult chapter of my life. Before you took on my case in the spring of 2011 I was despairing of matters being resolved in the foreseeable future.  I was immediately impressed by your clear thinking and decisive style and quickly came to believe that you would be able to overcome difficulties and challenges . I have been particularly impressed with how quickly you deal with matters and thoughtfulness in constantly keeping me updated on matters.
I feel my life has been transformed in the last few days this is a result of all your work Michaela and for this I will be eternally grateful.

Very professional service. I felt as though I was really listened to and empathy was given to (my) situation.

Clare has helped a number of my clients to cope with the arduous and emotional stress of family separation. This help has been invaluable for the clients because they have been helped to make sense of their emotions and cope with their situations. It has also been invaluable for me because it has helped my clients to best assess the advice I give and make sensible decisions. It has also saved the clients a considerable amount of money, because it is not cost effective to use a lawyer as a counsellor - and we do not have the necessary counselling skills in any event!

I think Clare does a fantastic and professional job. The clients all relate to her well, irrespective of their problems or background. Following a session with Clare they come away positive and calm and ready to deal with the next step in the case. Clare is also very good at liasing with me, to ensure we are both helping the client in a consistent way. I would not hesitate to recommend her.

Irwin Mitchell is an impressive practice offering a comprehensive family service: financial provision, cohabitation disputes and collaborative law are particular areas of expertise. The team is also a growing force in the market for advising same-sex couples on issues ranging from finances to children law. Sources confirm: "The advice they offer is spot-on." Leeds-based Peter Morris enters the rankings this year on the strength of strong client endorsement: "He is amicable and looks at all avenues." Other interviewees add: "He stands out as unique and will go the extra mile."  He focuses his their attention on high-value matrimonial finance disputes, often ones involving international assets.

I have just recommended Alison to a much loved family member to get the support he needs to go through a relationship break-up. At this time when he is in danger of losing his home and family I can think of no-one else I would recommend but Alison to advice him with compassion, common sense and a truly collaborative approach.
I suggested he speak to her because I know she will help him to maintain a pragmatic view and not encourage an adversarial approach. So often recommendations are made on a loose knowledge of someone’s work, this one is from the heart.

Carol is a truly excellent family lawyer, who manages to combine both a friendly and helpful manner with being thoroughly efficient and straightforward in her work.  She is extremely good at planning complex legal points in an easy to understand manner, she is especially good at ensuring that difficult personal situations (such as divorce) are not escalated by cold legal drafting.  She has strong networks within the family law community and works well with other lawyers to ensure that discussions don't break down between parties.  Above all she listens to what a client says and does not go off at a tangent, but gives sound practical advice.

I was given sound advice on the pros and cons. All of the issues were very well explained.

I have worked with Clare Walters for a number of sessions following my separation from my husband of many years. I found the time with Clare quite enlightening and it really helped me to focus on myself and how I was dealing with the situation. It helped me to devise strategies to enable me to accept things and ‘move-on’ with my life. The sessions also made me realise that there was no quick fix and that I was going through a grieving process which would take time. Clare was an excellent support in this as she was neither the ‘caring relative’ nor the ‘businesslike solicitor’.

I would recommend Clare to anyone for support who finds themselves in a stressful situation as she has a calm and quiet manner but manages to address the sometimes difficult area of feelings. Her strategies are simple but very effective.

Thank you so much for all your help and support during my divorce. I have recommended you more than once