Business Details
21 Years
experience
Expert Family Law Solicitors in Milton Keynes
Established in 2005 by Pauline Purcell, Purcell Solicitors is a specialist family law firm based in Milton Keynes. Our team of fully-accredited legal professionals provides tailored advice and representation for relationship breakdowns, including divorce, financial settlements, and child arrangements. With over 30 years of experience in family law, Pauline leads a dedicated team committed to resolving disputes through mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law. We are members of Resolution and ranked as a Leading Firm in Chambers & Partners UK 2025. Our practice extends to complex cases involving international law, surrogacy, and cohabitation agreements.We combine legal expertise with compassionate support, offering consultations in our Milton Keynes office or remotely via Zoom. Recognised for excellence, our directors Pauline Purcell, Mandi Austin, and Lisa Buckridge are consistently ranked as Leading Lawyers. We maintain transparency in fees and prioritise open communication to help clients navigate emotional legal challenges. Our services cater to clients across the UK and internationally, with a focus on achieving fair, cost-effective solutions.
Services
Family Mediation
Divorce Settlements
Child Arrangements
Cohabitation Agreements
Surrogacy Law
International Family Law
Financial Disputes
Collaborative Law
Arbitration Services
Pre-nuptial Agreements
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- Specialists in complex matrimonial cases with over 30 years' experience
- Fully accredited by Chambers & Partners and Resolution members
- Transparent fee structures and cost-effective dispute resolution
- Ranked as Leading Lawyers in Chambers & Partners UK 2025
- Offer all alternatives to court including mediation and arbitration
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulatory Authority
- Chambers & Partners UK Guide
- Resolution
What people say
Professionalism
Kindness
Personal approach
Reliable professionals
Spot-on advice
Services
Family Mediation
A confidential process where separating couples work together to resolve differences with professional guidance. Our accredited mediators help limit emotional impact on families while achieving legally sound agreements. We specialise in complex cases involving property division, child arrangements, and international jurisdiction issues.
Divorce Settlements
Expert handling of financial settlements including property division, pension splits, and maintenance arrangements. Our solicitors specialise in high-value cases involving businesses, trusts, and international assets. We provide clear guidance on court proceedings and alternative dispute resolution methods to protect client interests.
Child Arrangements
Comprehensive legal support for child custody matters including living arrangements, visitation rights, and educational decisions. We prioritise children's welfare while protecting parental rights through court proceedings or collaborative approaches. Our specialists handle complex cases involving relocation and international co-parenting.
Cohabitation Agreements
Legal advice for unmarried couples on property rights and financial arrangements. We draft binding agreements covering asset division, child support, and dispute resolution processes. Our specialists help clients understand their legal position and create practical solutions for relationship breakdowns.
Surrogacy Law
Specialist legal guidance for surrogacy arrangements including parental orders and legal parenthood establishment. We advise intended parents on UK surrogacy laws, draft agreements, and represent clients in court proceedings. Our team handles complex international surrogacy cases with cross-border legal implications.
People
Pauline Purcell
Managing Director
Experienced family law specialist with over 30 years' experience, ranked Band 1 in Chambers & Partners. Specialises in high-value financial cases and complex divorce settlements. Lectured at Buckingham University and member of Resolution since 2005.
Mandi Austin
Director
Qualified solicitor since 2000 with expertise in financial settlements and children's arrangements. Ranked as Notable Practitioner in Chambers Guide. Specialises in cohabitee disputes and complex family law cases including embryo adoption precedents.
Lisa Buckridge
Director
Family law solicitor since 2003 with mediation accreditation. Spotlighted in Chambers & Partners for dispute resolution expertise. Specialises in collaborative law and complex child arrangement cases with international jurisdiction elements.
Haidee French
Solicitor
Qualified in 2013 with focus on divorce settlements and domestic abuse injunctions. Law Society accredited specialist in family law. Experienced in court representation and Resolution member advocating non-adversarial approaches.
Stephanie Dodman
Solicitor
Specialist in divorce and financial settlements since 2019. Trained at London family law firm with focus on cohabitation breakdowns. Member of Resolution committed to cost-effective dispute resolution while maintaining competitive sports involvement.
Questions
What areas of family law do you specialise in?
We specialise in divorce settlements, child arrangements, cohabitation disputes, surrogacy law, and international family law cases.
Are you regulated by any official legal bodies?
Yes, we're regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority and members of Resolution, with recognition in Chambers & Partners UK Guide.
Can you handle complex financial divorce cases?
Our team has extensive experience in high-value financial cases involving businesses, pensions, and international assets.
Do you offer alternative dispute resolution methods?
Yes, we provide mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law options to resolve disputes outside court.
How do you support clients during difficult cases?
We combine legal expertise with compassionate support, offering transparent communication and tailored solutions for emotional legal challenges.
Can you assist with international family law matters?
Our specialists handle cross-border cases involving jurisdiction disputes, international child arrangements, and overseas financial settlements.
Reviews (6)
Adrian McDonagh
May 25, 2024
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I was advised by Pauline on my divorce. She was excellent. Sound practical advice telling you what the score was. Other solicitors are a little too focused on just giving you options. Pauline tells you what is likely to happen at each stage and advises you on the best steps. She is also happy to tell you the most cost effective way to achieve your goals, even if that means completing certain tasks on your own. Would highly recommend.
John
Aug 23, 2019
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Made an appointment to see a solicitor, Turned up for my appointment 4 days later only to be told they could not see me as there was a conflict. This check should have been done before any appointment was made. Very unprofessional.
John Bradley
Apr 11, 2019
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Excellent service and highly professional. Purcell's clearly understood my needs, I would strongly recommend Purcell's as they got me the outcome I wanted with my family.
Sports Trader
Feb 01, 2019
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I recently completed a very acrimonious divorce. Pauline dealt with my case in an extremely professional manner. She was always there for me giving me excellent advice and helping me through the whole process. I cannot thank her and her team enough for the care and excellent service they provided. An excellent firm if you are going through a divorce, highly recommend.
Kate Jackson
Oct 23, 2018
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Throughout my difficult family situation, I not only received a high quality, professional legal service from Gemma but immense support and guidance that often went over and above her professional role. Gemma understood my individual issues and circumstance and worked with me in the best possible way for a solution. I hope I can convey how much reassurance, courage, strength and importantly - professional legal advice on family matters including divorce, financial and child arrangements, that Gemma and the team at Purcell's provided to me at such a difficult, emotional time.
Zoe Forsey
Aug 31, 2018
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Thank you so very much Gemma Evans you are lovely, professional, calm and supportive but above all honest and realistic. Thank you again.
