“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I wasn’t on that particular job.”

Brian Clough

MEET
FIONA

Fiona has specialised in family law for over 20 years. Prior to her current role she was a partner at Pannone LLP, which became part of Slater and Gordon. She is an expert in dealing with divorces which involve businesses and is know for her commercial awareness. Clients praise her attention to detail and her calm approach. She is ranked as a “noted practitioner” by Chambers and Partners.

Whilst Fiona undertakes all areas of family law, she is particularly accomplished at dealing with divorce cases where there are substantial and complex assets. Many of her clients or their spouses have businesses. Fiona acted for the wife in the reported case of D v D (2010) EWHC 138, which involved a family farming business.

She regularly advises business owners on how they can protect their assets by way of pre-nuptial or post nuptial agreements. She also gives expert guidance to those who are divorcing and are keen to avoid the divorce impacting their business.

Fiona regularly acts for parents where a financial claim is being made on behalf of their child, as well as advising on disputes regarding arrangements for children. As a parent, Fiona fully understands the need to take the heat out of these situations in order to ensure that children have as full a relationship as possible with both parents.

Fiona’s clients include professionals, entrepreneurs, company directors, professional sportsmen, entertainers and their spouses.

She is known for her calm, empathetic and thorough approach, which ensures that all issues are considered and then dealt with proactively. Fiona recognises the importance of clients knowing what their legal journey entails, including what she will do to assist them along that journey and what they will need to do.

SPECIALISMS:

Divorce Procedure

DIVORCE

Seperation Agreements

SEPARATION AGREEMENTS

Civil Partnerships

CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS

Financial Provision for Children

FINANCIAL PROVISION FOR CHILDREN

Pensions and Divorce

Pensions and divorce

Business and Divorce

Businesses and divorce

Freezing Orders

Freezing orders

Financial Disputes

Free and post Nuptial Agreements

Pre and post nuptial agreements

International and Expat Divorce

International and expat divorce

Children Disputes

International Child Relocation

International child relocation

Grandparents' Rights

Grandparent's rights

Child Maintenance

Child Maintenance

What others say:

““Fiona represented me in the financial aspects of my divorce, in what was a complicated and challenging case. We additionally had to deal with the test of me being 3500 miles away in a different time zone and my limited availability owing to a hectic work schedule, but Fiona was flexible, understanding and professional in her dealings and able to accommodate these factors. Fiona is extremely knowledgeable in her field and was very pro-active in ensuring we captured and evidenced all the relevant financial elements to support the case to achieve the best possible outcome. She was careful to set realistic parameters from the outset and did not try to sugarcoat the likely end result for which I was very grateful.” Ben King

“Fiona combines commercial awareness with a real understanding of company/business asset valuations. She is thorough, detailed and committed to obtaining the best possible result whilst exuding integrity and intelligence and being calm under pressure.” Alan Sellers

“Fiona Wood handled my divorce professionally and with empathy. She kept me fully informed and was readily available for sound advice and helpful support. She built a very positive relationship with me and I felt she understood my position. Her attention to detail and her persistence in following up issues was excellent. I would recommend her to other clients without any reservations.”  Ruth Baldwin

“Fiona Wood has helped me work through a highly stressful, complex and drawn-out divorce. Her unwavering professional, yet empathetic and personal approach, filled me with confidence from the outset and allowed me to make informed and concise decisions throughout the case. Her diligence, knowledge and attention to detail facilitated a true team approach, which was needed in order to consider a range of conflicting claims, involving multiple businesses and assets. She was instrumental in ensuring a successful outcome for me, and of course my children. I would not hesitate to recommend her to others, and it is no surprise to read the range of testimonies that rightly highlight that Fiona is a highly respected leader in her field.” Mike Burrows

‘Fiona Wood was my lawyer. She has always been very reactive and helpful, very easy to communicate with and had a clear strategy to follow.’  Legal 500, 2020

‘Fiona Wood’s experience gives her the status of one of the best matrimonial finance practitioners in Manchester. She has successfully dealt with cases of high value and complexity, having the knowledge and attention to detail to provide a top tier service.’ Legal 500, 2020

“Thorough, hard-working and meticulous; a splendid lawyer with an uncanny ability to reality-check any situation.” Legal 500, 2018

“Fiona Wood achieves the best outcome for her clients; she is a high-quality litigator and an effective negotiator” on financial remedy cases.  Legal 500, 2017

“A calm and sensible approach.” Legal 500, 2016

“Noted for her pragmatic advice, robust responses to the other side, and good overall case management.” Legal 500, 2015

“Fiona has excellent communication skills and is always excellent on points in cases; she is remarkable.” Chambers and Partners 2021

“Fiona Wood is a formidable, detailed and pragmatic lawyer.” Chambers and Partners 2021

“Fiona Wood frequently assists clients with financial remedy proceedings and is particularly adept at advising on cases involving complex business assets. One client reports: “Fiona was excellent throughout. She clearly explained parameters, working through options and effectively negotiating on my behalf. Critically, she was extremely supportive and understanding.” Chambers and Partners

Press and
Publications

Fiona is regularly sought out by the national media for her in-depth knowledge of family law, including being called upon regularly by the financial website of the year, This is Money to answer a variety of complex queries, particularly those relating to pensions and divorce. She also regularly writes articles for legal publications

Including Family Law Journal. In addition to this Fiona has been quoted in the Telegraph, the Financial Times, the Guardian, the Daily Mail, the Metro and the Manchester Evening News, commenting on family law issues, and has also been interviewed on Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, Granada Reports, BBC World Service and BBC Radio Manchester.

ACCREDITATIONS
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M3 4LZ

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HOW CAN WE HELP?

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