Our team of 20 matrimonial experts provide sound practical advice combined with experience and understanding. We fully recognise the need for strong representation with a constructive and conciliatory approach. We reach an agreed settlement in a high proportion of our cases.
Our Family Department is Pre-eminent in both the North & South of the country. We are dedicated specialists and work quickly to resolve your case cost effectively. All solicitors in the Family Department are members of Solicitors Family Law Association (SFLA), the Law Society's Family & Children Law Panels.
We specialise in complex cases, in particular:
- General advice on Divorce and Separation
- Financial settlements in particular involving PMAS Policies, Police Pensions and Compensatory Grant
- Pensions
- International aspects of a marriage or assets
- Pre-nuptial agreements
- Separation agreements
- Co-habitation contracts
- Breakdown of non-married relationship
- Children
- Parental responsibility
- Residence
- Contact
- Child abduction
- Adoption
- Mediation
Why Gorvins Represent Police Officers in Family Related Matters
Gorvins started to work on behalf of the Police Federations approximately six years ago when Amanda McAlister, the Department Head, recognised that representation in relation to matrimonial disputes was something that the Police Federation was not offering as a member service. Amanda McAlister has close friends and family who are police officers, and is therefore fully aware of the stresses and strains of police life. Whilst talking to her colleagues going through divorce, it became obvious that there was a severe lack of Solicitors who were able to understand a Police Officer's unique needs.
As a result, a high level of Police Officer's were paying over the odds in legal fees and generally were not being provided with answers as to the progress of their case or its likely outcome.
As a result, Gorvins matrimonial department started to work with Police Federations by offering their expertise as an extra member service. Within months it became obvious that there was a public and legal perception that Police Officers are financially secure.
This impression is very often fed by media misrepresentation in relation to Police annual pay rise's, security of employment and unbeatable pension provision. What the majority of the legal profession and indeed the public generally fail to realise is that 11% of a Police Officers wage is actually deducted at source to support their pension and once the other liabilities have been made a Police Officer is left with very little for general living allowance.
In addition, it was becoming obvious that in an attempt to preserve their pensions the majority of Police Officer's were forfeiting too much of the marital assets with a view to preserving their pension. Now some 4 years on, Gorvins have now advanced to become the specialists in Police divorce representation. In fact no other firm in the country specialises in such representation to the same extent as Gorvins. We are different from other solicitors in that each fee earners case load is solely dedicated to dealing with uniform officers and civilian staff marital disputes. As a result each fee earner is in Court on a regular basis and therefore we are in a better position than most to assess what judicial opinion is on certain aspects of Police cases. In addition, Gorvins Matrimonial Department work closely with the Police Federations and Pension departments and as a result we are the first within the legal profession to be informed of new pension regulations and changes in the matters such as pay and rent allowance.
Gorvins matrimonial team work closely with Police Officers and aim to keep costs down by involving Police Officers in the running and preparation of the case generally. For instance, it is well known that Police Officers are experienced in preparing Statements. Instead of spending a whole hour preparing a statement on an Officer's behalf, we very often request that the Officer prepare the statement himself, e-mail the same to us whereupon we can make the necessary amendments. This way, costs are kept to a minimum and the Officer feels as though he has assisted with the running and development of his case.
At Gorvins solicitors, we completely understand the financial pressures that a Police Officer faces and our number one priority is to obtain the best financial deal for our client but also to ensure that the case progresses as swiftly and as amicably as possible.
Not only do Gorvins commit to you personally but we also contribute to the Police Force generally. For instance we sponsor annual Charity Dinners and provide raffle prizes. In addition, we make annual contributions to the Benevolent Widows and Orphans Fund.
For each Federation we hold regular surgeries, the details of which can be found on the Federation Homepage.
For further information, see the The Team homepage.
