What We Do

The family lawyers at Gross & Co deal with a wide range of problems, which arise between both married and unmarried couples. Problems can crop up with the relationship itself, or the parties' property and or children. The term family law applies equally to same sex couples. The principal areas of law which we deal with at Gross & Co are:

Divorce and separation
Financial issues arising on divorce or separation
Problems concerning children of the relationship
Preparation of Living Together Agreements
Issues between unmarried couples
Preparation of Pre-Marital and Pre-Civil Partnership Agreements
Dissolution of Civil Partnerships
Applications by grandparents for contact or residence of grandchildren
Injunctions for married or unmarried couples

How We Do It

Both Julie McDonald and Elizabeth Hodder are qualified solicitors not unqualified paralegals. We speak and write to you in plain English and keep your case as simple and focused as possible.

We think ahead and give you advice for issues that will arise tomorrow and not just today
We get you through your cases quickly
We offer fixed fees where we can
We are proactive not reactive
We keep you up to speed with all significant developments by e-mail (where possible) so you don’t suffer from information time lapse. Soon we will be able to offer and updating service by text message as well.
Our cases are stored electronically you can ring any member of the Family Department for an instant update on the progress of your case (not just the solicitor who is conducting your case)

Where We Do It

Most of our client relationships start with a meeting at our offices based in Bury St Edmunds, though we are able to see clients at our London office by appointment.

We regularly act for clients who live abroad and who (for many reasons) wish to bring proceedings in relation either to children of the relationship or the relationship itself, in the Courts of England and Wales. We comply with the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000, and can in appropriate circumstances, conduct a case for a client without ever meeting them. We will explain to you the regulations we need to comply with in order to conduct your case without meeting you face to face.

In the majority of cases, we act for clients with whom we meet, no more than once or twice throughout the duration of the case. We accept instructions from clients all over England and Wales, and many of our cases are conducted solely by e-mail contact with our clients.

We will shortly be able to communicate with clients by SMS/text messaging as well as e-mail, telephone, fax and post.

We Don't

Offer Legal Aid

In April 2008, substantial changes were made to the way in which Legal Aid was administered. In common with many firms, Gross & Co. ceased to continue to offer Legal Aid to clients as at April 2008.
Offer representation in care proceedings

Parents involved in care proceedings brought by their local authority are entitled to be represented under Legal Aid. Because we no longer undertake Legal Aid work, we cannot represent parents in care cases.
We don't deal with adoption proceedings

We suggest that clients consider whether adoption is the right course for them or whether a Residence Order or Parental Responsibility Order or Special Guardianship Order is appropriate. For further information about adoption please click here and for couples in a same sex relationship, please click here to visit the Stonewall website.