Liz Cowell

Liz has specialised in divorce and family cases for over 30 years, during which time there have been enormous changes in the structure of family life. When she started practising most couples were married, particularly if they had children, and same sex or unmarried couples had no legal rights.

It was assumed that children would live with their mothers, and that husbands would leave with most of the capital and a hefty bill for maintenance following a divorce.  As Liz says, how different it is today: children do not automatically live with their mother, and capital is usually shared equally. It is also possible to save the painful process of court proceedings through Alternative Dispute Resolution such as mediation or arbitration. Sadly, whilst same sex couples can now marry, those who are in relationships outside of marriage are still without the full protection of the Family Court.

Liz sits as a Deputy District Judge, and has specialist knowledge of the Child Support System having also sat on the original Child Support Tribunal; she has an understanding of the avenues available to resolve issues for the unmarried who have to rely on civil law as well as the Child Maintenance Service to resolve their cases.

As a member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, Liz is well placed to assist her clients who are residents abroad, including clients in the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Dubai, Spain, France, China, Brazil, Scotland and Australia. Even if they are resident in this jurisdiction, many of her clients own property abroad. She also has a wide experience of cases involving inheritance issues, trust issues, corporate matters and the preparation of pre and post nuptial settlements as well as cohabitation agreements.

Liz has acted for a number of media personalities, high profile sportsmen and women, professionals, including a number of medical consultants, leading accountants and lawyers. She has clients across the jurisdiction, particularly in London as well as the North West.

Liz is an accredited member of Resolution and a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators through which she practices as a Family Law Arbitrator, a member of the Law Society Family Panel, an assessor for the Law Society Panel, a member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, a speaker for MBL and sits as a Deputy District Judge. She also lectures to family practitioners on a number of topics.