Domestic Violence in Marriage or Cohabitation

Our domestic violence solicitors provide understanding and support at an emotional time

If your spouse or ex-partner is violent towards you, whether through physical assaults or emotional abuse, our solicitors can explain the legal options you have to safeguard yourself. You can apply to the courts for an injunction to prevent any further violence. In some cases, a Non-Molestation Order or an Occupation Order may be more suitable than an injunction. At Hart Brown, our team of solicitors specialises in domestic violence cases. We are dedicated to supporting you with empathy and professionalism, guiding you through every step of the legal process to determine the best course of action for your unique situation.

Our domestic abuse lawyers recognise that this is an incredibly emotional and traumatic time for you. Our priority is to act swiftly and decisively to ensure your safety and that of any children. Our experienced team will work tirelessly to provide you with the protection and peace of mind that you need.

If you already have a court order in place and believe it has been breached, our domestic violence solicitors will advise you on the appropriate steps to take. We understand the urgency of these matters and will work as quickly as possible to ensure you feel protected.

For advice on court orders to protect against domestic abuse, please start a live chat or contact our lawyers for family violence today on 01483 887766.

Who to contact

Sharon Powell-Head of Family

Sharon Powell

Partner, Head of Family

Sharon Powell-Head of Family

Partner, Head of Family

Sharon Powell

Sharon has over 20 years experience in all aspects of family law and in particular the financial aspects of high value divorces. Sharon is a trained collaborative lawyer and she is particularly experienced in resolving medium to high net worth finances as well as children disputes including alienation.

She is a Resolution member and qualified in mediation and collaborative family law.

“A break up of a relationship is very sad for everyone concerned” says Sharon. “I believe that our role is to try and help both parties reach a solution which they are both happy with. When feelings are running high this can sometimes be difficult but I believe we can make a difference”.

Sharon is often thanked by her clients for her sympathetic and supportive approach through a traumatic time in their lives.

Her most memorable case was in a divorce where financial matters involving significant assets were resolved amicably yet parties persisted to argue about kitchen utensils!

Sharon qualified as a solicitor in 1986 and joined Hart Brown in 2007 becoming a partner a few months later.

    Hart-Brown

    Dimple Patel

    Senior Associate, Family Law

    Hart-Brown

    Senior Associate, Family Law

    Dimple Patel

    Dimple is a Senior Associate Solicitor in the family law department. She qualified as a solicitor in 2007 after reading law at City University and has worked as a family solicitor in both Surrey and London. She joined Hart Brown in 2022.

    Her practice involves advising on all aspects of family law and in particular the financial aspects of divorce and dissolution of civil partnership. She has extensive experience in negotiating financial settlements and advises clients with substantial assets including family businesses, pensions, trusts, foreign assets and inherited wealth as well as clients with more modest income and assets. She also deals with the variation and enforcement of existing financial orders.

    Dimple assists clients to protect assets and family wealth through prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She also assists cohabiting couples with cohabitation agreements, financial and property disputes as well as financial claims for children of unmarried parents under Schedule 1 Children Act.

    Dimple has considerable experience advising on arrangements for children following divorce and separation including relocation of children both within England and Wales and abroad. She also assists clients where there are concerns around domestic abuse through personal protection injunctions such as Non-Molestation and Occupations Orders.

    Dimple is a member of Resolution, a national organisation of family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. She aims to provide practical, tailored advice to enable her clients to make informed choices with a focus on early settlement.

    Dimple often receives wonderful feedback from her clients, here are just a few testimonials.

    “Dimple is very professional and reliable. I was able to always count on her excellent advice, quick responses to my queries and sympathetic balanced communications with all parties. I would whole heartedly recommend her to anyone dealing with family legal issues”

    “Dimple quickly understood the challenges I was facing and we spoke a lot on the phone which I found helpful and calming. She is very bright, professional and warm and just the person one needs when dealing with difficult and unfamiliar issues. Dimple is committed, has good judgment and eye for detail. She is a highly competent solicitor and I highly recommend her.”

    “Thank you so much for your help, support and advice through this difficult process. I appreciate all you’ve done and look forward to a brighter future, thanks to your help”

    “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. You were so easy to work with at every stage of the game and I really appreciated having you to turn to. I still can’t believe how smoothly everything went! And the good news is, I’m genuinely finding happiness again in my life.”

    “Thank you for your assistance and support over the last few years in relation to my difficult and challenging divorce proceedings and help to conclude the child matters with the best result I could have hoped for. I appreciate all your efforts on my case. I am so happy that I am spending quality time with my son and that he is getting to know his extended paternal family. Thank you for helping to make this happen.”

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