Cambridge Family Law Practice

How would you describe your role at Cambridge Family Law Practice?

Well, I’m one of the partners, and I was a founder of the firm with others in 2007. So I’ve been here from day one. I undertake money and children work and I’m a mediator and collaborative practitioner, so I work across all the main approaches to family law.

Prior to founding Cambridge Family Law Firm, I had my own firm: Marchant-Daisley was set up in Cambridge in 2002.

Looking back across your career, do any cases stand out as especially memorable or meaningful?

It’s normally the bad ones you remember, rather than the good ones! But I would say that cases involving children stay with you much more than those involving money.

As an example, in a very recent case, a grandmother had become estranged from her daughter. She’d been fully involved with the care of her grandchildren and then wasn’t seeing them at all. We managed to restore that relationship. Cases in which you’re able to help children – in this case grandchildren, and maintain a good relation with members of their family, provided it’s safe to do so, are always the most satisfying. Children are often described as the invisible clients, and when you’re doing children work you always have them in mind.

You qualified in 1995. Could you give a summary of your career since then?

Yes, I qualified relatively late. I was in my 30s, having been in the civil service for some years. I was made a partner on the day I qualified in a small generalist firm in London. I moved to Cambridge and commuted for a number of years, but eventually got tired of it. So, I set up as Marchant-Daisley in 2002, employing a number of other lawyers. We became a little bit too big and I became fed up being the sole decision maker, so I went into partnership and created Cambridge Family Law Practice with three others, and it’s basically gone from strength to strength since then.

In my civil service days, I was in what was then the DHSS for seven years, then moved over to the Crown Prosecution Service for 18 months. But I was bored! So, I made a new life for myself in Cambridge. I was an elected local councillor here for a few years.

Finally, what are you interests outside work?

I’ve just completed a Masters at Harvard in American government. My thesis was on the search for racial justice in America.

I’m interested in politics and football and quite an avid reader. I read a lot of modern fiction. I also enjoy walking and travelling. I have run a couple of decent half marathons in my time, but I think those days are behind me!