A family law specialist at North East law firm Hay & Kilner has gained a nationally-recognised industry accreditation.
Solicitor Stephanie Layton has been awarded the Family Law Accreditation by The Law Society, which requires applicants to demonstrate their competence and knowledge in the area of family law.
She is the latest member of the Hay & Kilner family law team to earn this professional recognition, following colleagues Rob Hart, Kerry Kelso and Leanne Sutherland, while Nicola Matthews, partner and head of the firm’s specialist team, holds the Law Society’s advanced level accreditation.
Stephanie qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and joined Hay & Kilner three years ago, where she assists clients with divorce and non-married partners separating and deals with both the financial and any child-related issues arising from the separation.
She is a member of both Voices in the Middle, a website run by the charity Kids in the Middle which is dedicated to helping children through separations, and Resolution, the UK association of specialist family lawyers. She also acts as secretary of the Young Resolution committee.
Stephanie Layton says: “Family law has always been an area of particular interest for me, and gaining this accreditation is part of the continuing process of developing my knowledge and professional practice, so that I can help my clients reached the best possible outcomes for themselves and their families.”
Established in 1946, Hay & Kilner is one of North East England’s leading independent law firms and provides a full range of legal services to businesses and individuals from both within and outside the region.
Nicola Matthews adds: “The situations with which family law practitioners are faced can naturally be challenging and complex, and it’s essential that they have the personal and professional skills required to deal with them as effectively and sensitively as possible.
“Stephanie has repeatedly demonstrated this sort of aptitude, and is highly deserving of this professional recognition.”