Edward Cooke Family Law

Edward Cooke Family Law is a specialist firm of family law solicitors and mediators in West Sussex and Hampshire offering divorce and family law advice and assistance in Chichester, Petersfield and across the South Downs. With offices situated in a beautiful, discrete location at Chilgrove (between Chichester and Petersfield) in the heart of the South Downs National Park, we also see clients for divorce and family law advice and for family mediation in the heart of Chichester and in Petersfield itself.

We are very experienced in helping people navigate their way through some of the most stressful periods in a person’s life, in a way that is clear, sensitive, but focused. We recognise that everyone’s situation is different and endeavour to provide a service that is tailored to their needs and situation.

Talking to a solicitor is not an irreversible step towards a separation or divorce. However, if reconciliation is not possible, we will support you throughout the process of divorce or separation, and help you identify the most appropriate option for you to resolve the issues arising out of the end of your relationship, working with other family law professionals where appropriate.

Above all, we seek to assist you in resolving matters in a dignified way and, where children are involved, focused on their needs and best interests.

We have many years of expertise in handling the full range of family cases and provide a full family law service. In family law, we have particular expertise in dealing with high net worth and “big money” cases. In family mediation, we offer a dedicated family mediation service, including provision for meeting children in the mediation process. We work with other family law professionals both in mediation and the collaborative law process.

Edward Cooke heads the practice and is a National Committee member of Resolution, the nationwide organisation of over 6,500 family law professionals committed to promoting good practice in family law.

Your Options

Negotiation

Negotiating an agreement, with or without professional advice from solicitors, is an option. However, if you reach a direct agreement, you should still seek independent legal advice, as otherwise there is a risk the agreement may not be upheld.

Mediation

Mediation is a process whereby an impartial mediator meets with you to assist you in reaching an agreement over all issues, whether financial issues or relating to your children. The mediator will recommend that you seek advice from your own solicitors during the mediation process. The mediator can also meet with the children to ascertain their wishes and feelings.

Collaborative Law

In the Collaborative Law process, each person appoints their own collaboratively-trained lawyer and resolves issues through a series of face-to-face meetings. The focus is on reaching a tailored agreement to meet the family’s needs. Other professionals often assist, such as a family consultant and financial advisor.

Arbitration

In family arbitration, an arbitrator is appointed by the couple to make a final and binding decision, whether in relation to finances or children issues.

Court process

The court process is necessary where one party behaves in such a way that none of the non-court options are viable. The court will set a clear timetable for resolution and the focus will still be on resolving matters without the need for a fully contested hearing. Emergency applications can be made to address urgent issues.

Meet Edward

Edward Cooke Family Lawyer and Mediator

Our founder Edward Cooke is a director and National Committee member of Resolution, the nationwide organisation of over 6,500 family law professionals, which promotes a constructive approach to family law disputes.

Edward is a collaborative lawyer and an experienced and accredited family mediator and is also qualified to meet children in the mediation process.

He has particular expertise in dealing with substantial asset cases involving complex pensions, family businesses, farms or trusts and in advising upon complex private law children cases. He is also frequently called upon to advise in relation to legal agreements prior to marriage or cohabitation.

In April 2018, Edward was presented with the John Cornwell Award at Resolution’s Annual Conference in Bristol. The John Cornwell award is a national award, presented once a year to a Resolution member "in recognition of outstanding work to support separating families".

Edward Cooke Family Mediation

We are a specialist, accredited family mediation service, helping you reach agreement over all issues, both financial and relating to your children.

Find out more about our approach to mediation and how it can help.

FAMILY MEDIATION SERVICES

Make an Appointment

You can make an appointment by completing the online submission form, or if you would rather speak to a member of
our team please call 01243 769001.

Domestic abuse during the current lockdown

Home is not always a safe haven - for victims of domestic abuse, it is a place of fear and suffering, writes Michelle Lewis, senior associate at Edward Cooke Family Law

Helping you navigate separation or divorce in the Covid 19 lockdown

The Coronavirus Pandemic has affected the whole country on so many levels, but we are very aware that families going through separation are finding the effects of the lockdown particularly challenging.

Parenting and Children during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown (Part 3)

In a three-part blog, family lawyer and mediator Edward Cooke and psychotherapist Adele Ballantyne, of national family law organisation Resolution’s Parenting after Parting committee, consider the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on parents and children. In Part 3, Edward sets out practical tips for parents for coping with the lockdown.