Here are the members of our Family + Children team.
Having spent many years living and working overseas including the Middle East, South Pacific and Far East, Wendy returned to the UK in the mid 1990s to start a career in law. She took a Law Degree at Exeter University and joined Crosse and Crosse in 1997. She quickly made her mark, acting for the Appellant in a House of Lords case in 1999, and was made up to partner in 2003.
Wendy has focused on family law throughout her legal career and is a recognised expert in both children and financial cases, particularly those with an international element. Through her international connections she has built up a portfolio of professional contacts around the world to assist her in this work. She also works with immigration practitioners for related advice on problems with British Immigration status.
Wendy has an increasing reputation in "high net worth" divorces and complex financial matters, including those with an international element. She is a Resolution Accredited Specialist in the fields of Cohabitation and of Advanced Financial Relief. She is also a member of the Law Society Advanced Family Panel with accreditations in the field of Complex Financial cases.
Wendy is recognised as an expert in children law matters and as a member of the Law Society Children Panel she is regularly instructed to represent parents, or children via their professional guardians. Wendy has also developed a particular interest and expertise in children cases with an international element, acting for parents where children are moved across borders. She has accreditation in "Hague Convention" cases and is a member of Reunite, the leading international child abduction charity. Wendy is in Reunites listing of UK and International lawyers. She is also one of the few solicitors in the South West to be registered as a member of the Home Office International Child Abduction Unit.
Andrew qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and joined Crosse + Crosse in 2011, after working for a number of solicitors in the South West. He is a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children and a committee member of the Devon Branch of Resolution. In 1999 he successfully applied for membership to the Law Society's Children Panel and was recommended by his peers to the Chambers Legal Directory, where he has featured every year since.
Andrew has worked with a mixture of public and private funded work including Matrimonial, Ancillary Relief, Injunctions, Cohabitation Disputes, proceedings under The Children Act 1989 and claims under TOLATA.
Sabina studied Law at Manchester University before training and qualifying as a solicitor in London and Sussex. Since moving to Devon in 1998 Sabina has practised as a solicitor specialising in family law. Sabina is a Resolution Accredited Specialist and, has a particular interest in dealing with the financial aspects of divorce or separation including property transfers, family business issues and pension sharing. She also represents clients in international family disputes, including where children are moved across borders and has specialist accreditation in that field. In 2003 Sabina trained as a Family Mediator and she now regularly undertakes mediation work with the Exeter based mediation agency Devon Family Solutions. Sabina is a mediator member of Resolution and is recognised by the Family Mediation Council.
Sabina has also trained as a collaborative lawyer and is a member of Devon Collaborative Lawyers. Collaborative law is a new constructive way of dealing with family disputes without going to Court.
Sabina recognises that a divorce or separation can be one of life's most stressful experiences, and she considers it a privilege to be able to help her clients through the process and support them as they move on with their lives.
Raised in Sussex, Pippa moved to the South West to study at Plymouth University. On graduating, Pippa joined a large legal firm in Exeter where she trained as a Legal Executive for four years before joining Crosse and Crosse in 2004.
Pippa has focused on family law throughout her career. She acts in a wide range of family matters, including divorce and related financial and property issues. She advises unmarried couples on the complex issues that arise on separation for example where there is a jointly owned property. She also advises on pre and post nuptial agreements and separation agreements.
Alongside this work Pippa has developed a particular expertise in the field of domestic violence law, to obtain remedies protecting clients from violence, abuse and harassment. She is an active member of the Domestic Violence Abuse Forum, working closely with other agencies such as the police, housing authorities and health services to provide a coordinated approach to assisting victims, and to raise awareness of this important issue. Through this role Pippa has developed a network of professional contacts so that she is able to provide practical solutions to help clients move forward. Pippa regularly receives referrals from other professionals and has provided training to the police on developments in domestic violence legislation.
Pippa says that she most enjoys the client interaction aspect of her work and finds it rewarding being able to help people.
Mandy Stevinson joined the family department at Crosse and Crosse in 1989. Mandy worked with us as a paralegal before qualifying as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in October 2008.
Mandy carries out a wide range of family law work, including divorce and related financial and property disputes, and domestic violence injunctions. She has a particular interest in children matters, either private disputes of contact and residence, or cases involving social services. Mandy has been involved in a number of highly complex matters with proceedings in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Her many years of experience in this field mean she has a wide range of contact with local social services and health professionals.
In 2006 Mandy was shortlisted for the Law Firm Paralegal of the Year Award of the Institute of Paralegals. Mandy was singled out for a rare Judges' Commendation and the panel were particularly impressed by her client skills and high standards of professionalism. Mandy is a member of Resolution and conducts all her work in the light of their Code of Practice. Her calm and professional manner appeals to colleagues and clients alike.
Following a successful career in the London restaurant industry, Mark took a career change and retrained as a Solicitor. He qualified in London before moving to Devon in 2005. Mark has practised exclusively as a family lawyer since then, attaining membership of the Family Law Panel in 2009. He joined Crosse & Crosse in November 2010.
Mark's practice encompasses all aspects of matrimonial and family work including both financial disputes and issues surrounding children. In addition Mark regularly represents parents in cases where the Local Authority are seeking to place their children into care. Mark is a member of Resolution and adheres to the organisation's code of conduct offering calm, practical advice and helping his clients through what are frequently traumatic periods of their lives.
Mark is also a school Governor and has a particular interest in Education Law having advised parents on issues concerning school non-attendance and exclusions.
Simon trained as a solicitor in Milton Keynes. On qualification he moved to North Devon where he worked for a local law firm for 10 years, rising to Partner. He then moved to a large firm in Exeter for a further 10 years before moving to Crosse and Crosse to further develop his career. He joined the family team in January 2011 as an Associate Solicitor.
Simon has specialised in family law throughout his career, and for the last ten years he has focussed exclusively on children matters. He has been a member of the Law Society Children Panel since 1997, and as an acknowledged expert in this field he is regularly instructed by professional guardians appointed by the Court to represent children. Simon also acts for parents in care proceedings and in private Children Act proceedings concerning contact and residence. Simon has experience of international cases and Hague Convention work and as part of our international team here he receives instructions from the Home Office to act for parents overseas.
Simon is a Trustee of Mid Devon HomeStart, a charity assisting local families with children.
Crosse + Crosse Solicitors incorp Charles Hope & Co, 14 Southernhay West, Exeter, EX1 1PL Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority - SRA number 45764 Tel: +44 (0)1392 258451 - Fax: +44 (0)1392 278938 - DX: 8313 EXETER - Email: mail@crosse.co.uk