T
Legal 500 Tier 2 (2025) Medium Firm

The Family Law Company

Exeter, South West

3 offices: Exeter, Plymouth, Truro

Get in touch

Interested in instructing this firm?

Send enquiry 01392 421777

About The Family Law Company

The Family Law Company (formerly Hartnell Chanot & Partners) is the largest specialist family law practice in the South West, founded in 1991 by Norman Hartnell in Exeter. Operating from offices in Exeter, Plymouth, and Truro, the firm handles over 2,000 family law cases each year, combining private client work with a legal aid franchise. It is particularly noted for international child abduction, honour-based abuse cases, and domestic abuse support.

Areas of expertise

Child Abduction
Legal Aid
Domestic Abuse Support
Complex Care
International Family Law
Honour-Based Abuse
Financial Remedy
Children

Awards & recognition

Legal 500 Ranked South West Family
Chambers Ranked South West Family
LexisNexis Family Law Awards Family Law Partner of the Year 2024

Our team

Meet the family law specialists at The Family Law Company.

Exeter Office

20 solicitors
H

Helen Young

Head of Department

Partner

UNVERIFIED: Helen Young listed as Partner at The Family Law Company. Email domain corrected.

View profile →
R

Rachel Buckley

Head of Department Recommended

Joint Managing Director

Qualified 2002

Rachel Buckley is a Solicitor in the family team at The Family Law Company. Rachel advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and …

View profile →
The Family Law Company

Norman Hartnell

Head of Department Leading Individual

Joint Managing Director

Qualified 1979 English

Norman Hartnell is Joint Managing Director and founder of The Family Law Company, the largest specialist family law firm in the South West of England.

View profile →
B

Partner

UNVERIFIED: Bernadette Hillman listed as Partner at The Family Law Company. Email domain corrected.

View profile →
B

Consultant Solicitor

Bridget Garrood is a Solicitor in the family team at The Family Law Company. Bridget advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and …

View profile →
C

Director

Carrie Laws is a Director and Public Law Solicitor at The Family Law Company. She specializes in representing children and parents in all aspects of public law …

View profile →
D

Senior Associate Solicitor

As an Senior Associate Solicitor at The Family Law Company, Deborah Cahill assists clients with a wide range of matrimonial issues, including domestic abuse …

View profile →
E

Solicitor

Emma Rodrigues is a Solicitor in the Care team at The Family Law Company. Emma joined in October 2024 and works with vulnerable adults including clients with …

View profile →
G

Associate Solicitor

As an Associate Solicitor at The Family Law Company, Galina Labworth represents parents facing social services involvement and care proceedings. With over 25 …

View profile →
G

Director

Grace Bradley is a Director and Solicitor at The Family Law Company. She specialises in child abduction and honour-based violence cases, as well as advising on …

View profile →
I

Director

Qualified 2008

Imran Khodabocus is an award-winning Solicitor and Director at The Family Law Company. He specialises in children and domestic abuse matters which are complex …

View profile →
J

Director

Jane Chanot is a Solicitor in the family team at The Family Law Company. Jane advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and financial …

View profile →
J

Director

Qualified 1997

Jonathan Madge is a Solicitor in the family team at The Family Law Company. Jonathan advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and …

View profile →
M

Associate Solicitor

As an Associate Solicitor at The Family Law Company, Melissa Mitchell assists clients with a wide range of matrimonial issues, including domestic abuse …

View profile →
N

Senior Associate

UNVERIFIED: Natalie Lester listed as Senior Associate at The Family Law Company. Email domain corrected.

View profile →
R

Solicitor

Ruby Morris is a Solicitor in the family team at The Family Law Company. Ruby advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and financial …

View profile →
S

Director

Qualified 1994

Stephen Sowden is a Solicitor and Director at The Family Law Company. He is director and head of the care team, specialising in all matters relating to Children …

View profile →
S

Associate Solicitor

As an Associate Solicitor at The Family Law Company, Stuart Smallman assists clients with a wide range of matrimonial issues, including domestic abuse …

View profile →
T

Solicitor

Tamar Braddon is a Trainee Solicitor in the Care team at The Family Law Company. She supports lawyers with issues involving care proceedings where social …

View profile →
T

Solicitor

Thomas Glover is a Solicitor in the family team at The Family Law Company. Thomas advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and …

View profile →

Plymouth Office

3 solicitors
J

Senior Associate Solicitor

As an Senior Associate Solicitor at The Family Law Company, Julia Robson assists clients with a wide range of matrimonial issues, including domestic abuse …

View profile →
K

Director

Kirsty Thyer is a Director and Solicitor at The Family Law Company. She specialises in dealing with complex cases involving injuries to children and has been a …

View profile →
L

Solicitor

Lisa Reeve is a Solicitor in the family team at The Family Law Company. Lisa advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and financial …

View profile →

Truro Office

1 solicitor
L

Director

Lucy Theobald is a Solicitor in the family team at The Family Law Company. Lucy advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and …

View profile →

How to get in touch

Call 01392 421777
Address Oriel House, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter EX1 1NP
Website www.thefamilylawco.co.uk →

Last updated: 9 March 2026

Was this page helpful?