Brittany Thomas

I have practised in family law since the beginning of my career, having completed a specialised traineeship in the field – one of only a select few solicitors to do so in Scotland.  I work independently on cases ranging from financial provision to residence and contact.  Equally, I greatly enjoy working with senior colleagues on more complex cases.

I have a breadth of experience in all aspects of family law, including financial provision on divorce and separation, contact and residence disputes and cohabitation.  I am particularly knowledgeable in financial provision and Hague Abduction cases (for both the Petitioner and Respondent) having been the instructing solicitor in the reported case of NN v HN [2018] CSOH 56 (link to Judgment).

My caseload also involves working within our Modern Families team which assists clients in creating families whether that be via adoption, donor conception or surrogacy. The law in this area is nuanced and the legislation can be daunting.  I am a knowledgeable, experienced and supportive advisor and it is a joy to be involved in assisting clients in their journey.

I am confident in appearing at the Sheriff Court on behalf of my clients and arguing their case, whilst also ensuring that they understand the Scottish Court system – a vital aspect of clients feeling comfortable during the litigation process.  I also instruct Counsel to appear in the Court of Session on behalf of my clients and am comfortable navigating the procedure of this higher Court.

I also have significant experience in cases where there is a cross-border element, be that intra-UK or internationally. I have a good working relationship with solicitors both in England & Wales, and internationally, and this can be utilised when cases have a jurisdictional element, which are becoming ever more common.

I am qualified with the High Conflict Institute as a coach for the “New Ways for Families Coaching” method, which recently launched in Scotland in conjunction with Shared Parenting Scotland.  The course was originally developed in the USA and is now being rolled out in Australia, Canada, China and Scotland in order to assist parents who are separating. It is intended to reduce the negative impact of conflict on children in family breakups to calm potentially high-conflict separation and avoid taking cases to court where it may be unnecessary.

I am also a supervising solicitor at the Free Legal Advice Clinic run by the University of Edinburgh, as well as assisting Shared Parenting in their monthly sessions to provide legal advice to those requiring assistance.

I am primarily based out of our Edinburgh office, but a considerable number of my clients are based in Shetland where I work with them via our Lerwick office.