Collaborative Law Wales is an organisation of specialist family lawyers who share a commitment to resolving the issues following relationship breakdown in a constructive and amicable way. We are all members of Resolution and all trained Collaborative lawyers. Some of us are also trained mediators, arbitrators or accredited as specialist by The Law Society and/or Resolution.
Choosing a lawyer that is right for you is one of, if not the most important decision you can make. Take time to explore our members’ profiles and individual firm websites. Please do also feel free to call us for an informal chat to see whether the Collaborative process is right for you.
Joanna Purnell
Jo qualified in 1992 and since then has practised family law. She is a Resolution accredited specialist and an advanced member of the Law Society’s Family Law panel. Jo became a collaborative lawyer in 2009 and is committed to assisting couples to achieve a fair and conflict free outcome to relationship breakdown.
Sally Matthews
Sally joined the firm in 1996 and qualified as a solicitor in 1999 becoming a partner in 2002. Sally trained to be a Collaborative Lawyer in 2010. Sally has many years experience in dealing with divorce/civil partnerships, high value and complex cases, cohabitation disputes, pre-nuptial agreements, private Children Act cases and domestic violence issues. Sally is an accredited specialist member of Resolution in ancillary relief and domestic violence. Sally is a trustee for a local Women’s Aid and governor of a junior school.
Gerard Griffiths
Gerard is the Head of the Family Law Department at Howells, solicitors. He has been a solicitor since 1996 and has specialised in Family Law working career. He is particularly interested in dealing with financial matters following divorce, divorce and children matters. He is an accredited member of Resolution, Specialist Accreditation in financial matters following divorce, European and International Law and children matters. He qualified as a Collaborative Lawyer in 2011. He is the treasurer of the Collaborative Law in Wales Pod.
Sandra Horwood
Sandra is the Head of the Matrimonial and Family Department at Quality Solicitors J A Hughes. Sandra specialises in all aspects of Family law, including divorce, children and financial matters, including both private and legal aid work. Sandra also advises in care cases. Sandra meets with clients in any of the 3 offices in Cardiff, Barry and Penarth. Memberships: Sandra is a member of the Law Society Advanced Family Panel and trained Collaborative lawyer. Career: Sandra qualified in 1987 having partially served her articles with J A Hughes. She was made Partner in 1992 and became head of the Family and Matrimonial department the same year. Education: Sandra enrolled at Cardiff University to study Law. On graduation from Cardiff University Sandra moved on to Lancaster Gate, London to study for her Law Society Finals and obtain her status as a legal professional. Sandra graduated from her finals and quickly obtained her first legal role. Personal: Sandra is married with one child and living near Cardiff. Leisure: Sandra spends her spare time enjoying time with her family, gardening and reading.
Catrin Griffiths
Catrin Griffiths is Partner with Red Kite Law LLP and Heads up the Family Department with offices in Cardiff, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Catrin handles some of the most difficult and sensitive cases involving families in South and West Wales, whether disputed financial settlements, children cases or domestic abuse. Many of Catrin’s clients are land owners, business owners or professionals with valuable pension assets. Catrin qualified as a Solicitor in 2002 and since then has dedicated her career to dealing with all aspects of the law as it relates to families – whether married, living together or forced apart by circumstance. Catrin’s expertise was recognised in April 2013 when she was accredited as an Advanced Family Law Panel member with the Law Society. Catrin prides herself on being approachable and friendly. Most of her work comes from personal recommendations. Catrin is also a member of Resolution, a family law organisation that encourages a non-confrontational approach in dealing with family law cases. Her aim is to help every client reach an amicable solution to their problem wherever possible. When recourse to court is needed, Catrin is a confident and experienced court advocate. In 2015 Catrin qualified as a Collaborative lawyer increasing her dedication to conciliatory and non-court methods of resolving family breakdown matters. Catrin is described as the leading individual for South and Mid Wales Family lawyers in the 2015 Edition of the Legal 500. Catrin is a Welsh Speaker and happy to accept instructions in either Welsh or English.
Juliet Thomas
Juliet is the Family Partner with Shanahans. She qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and has experience with complex family breakdown, including resolving financial matters on divorce and the arrangements for the children of separating parents. Juliet is a Resolution accredited specialist, a member of the Law Society’s Advanced Family Law Accreditation Scheme, and a Collaborative Lawyer. She is a firm believer that dealing with the breakdown of a relationship collaboratively is an excellent way to achieve a fair settlement. You can rest assured that Juliet will handle your case in a sympathetic and understanding manner.
Luke Dixon
Luke Dixon is head of the Family Law Department at Martyn Prowel Solicitor and is an experienced specialist in divorce, finances, and children matters. He deals with all matters arising out of divorce and separation, with a focus on financial disputes. Luke has returned to practice in Cardiff having worked at a busy law firm in London for several years where he was a key member of a well-known family law practice. Luke brings a warm and professional approach to client care, priding himself on the attention he pays to the individual requirements of each case. This lends itself well to a Collaborative matter. He is also a strong believer in the benefits of the Collaborative Law process to both clients and lawyers alike.
Chris Hatcher
Chris is a chartered accountant who is a consultant with Kilsby Williams, an independent accountancy practice in Newport with 8 partners and a total headcount of 75. Chris has been involved in the financial aspects of matrimonial assignments over many years, frequently valuing businesses in which one or both parties have an interest, advising on tax effective withdrawal of funds from businesses and advising on the liquidity of those businesses. He has written over 200 expert reports for the Family Court and, on occasions, given verbal evidence. Chris has been involved in a number of mediations and also acted as a shadow expert on a regular basis.
Matthew Wells
Matthew Wells is an experienced specialist Family Law Solicitor and Director at Grant Stephens Family Law. Matthew has a vast amount of experience in the whole range of complex family law matters, regularly dealing with, divorce and financial matters, former unmarried cohabitation relationship breakdown matters, and children matters. Matthew is known for his pragmatic and empathetic approach to every client’s individual and personal situation. He tailors his approach to meet the specific needs of his client and what they want to achieve for their family. He firmly believes that the majority of Family Law matters can, and ideally should be, resolved outside of court, through amicable, constructive and collaborative negotiations. Matthew has achieved an advanced accreditation as a Resolution specialist and collaborative practitioner. He is eager to see the growth of collaborative law in practice within Wales.