Law Awards of Scotland Nominations 2011
Family Law Firm of the Year
Thorley Stephenson SSC was founded in 2005 and has expanded to such an extent that it opened a second office in 2009.
The firm compromises of 11 lawyers – three partners, five assistants and three trainees – and provides representation in the criminal and civil courts as well as the children’s referral system and mental health tribunals.
The family law department takes pride in being one of the few Edinburgh-based firms to continue to provide civil legal aid. Our firm realises the importance of allowing every citizen the right to legal advice, regardless of means. As a result, the firm is used by a number of voluntary organisations who seek help for their clients who urgently require legal assistance and whose needs require the attention of dedicated and understanding family law specialists.
The family department is at the forefront in researching Scotland's human rights legislation and its impact on family law as shown by the decision in one of the firm’s appeal cases – Elizabeth Knox authority reporter v L and S. Decided in the Appeal Court on 26 May 2010, this decision has far reaching consequences on the rights of a relevant person, as far as the children's panel is concerned. Not only does the firm have a child law specialist, it is also asked to supply speakers on family law issues to interested parties. The success of this and other family cases led to the appointment of Julian Aitken as a partner in 2010.
In this difficult economic climate Thorley Stephenson has shown that it is still possible to grow the business alongside a commitment to provide valuable training to law students during the summer months while continuing to offer places to trainees who wish to enter their profession and specialise in family law.
Up and Coming Law Firm of the Year
Thorley Stephenson SSC was founded in 2005 by Mark Thorley and Jim Stephenson. Initially employing five solicitors and four support staff, the firm has flourished over the past six years and the firm is committed to employing individuals who will secure further growth for the partnership.
Mark Thorley has years of experience in the family law sector and is held in high regard by fellow practitioner’s clients and the courts. He also supervises the personal injury and other civil cases dealt with by the partnership in the Court of Session and Sheriff Court.
Jim Stephenson, a Solicitor Advocate since 2003, has developed a practice providing representation in the High Court, Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Courts throughout the east of Scotland. This side of the business has expanded to serve clients who suffer from mental illness with representation before the mental health tribunal; these individuals are particularly vulnerable and rely heavily on the support and advice of their solicitor.
Since joining in 2009, child law specialist Julian Aitken has been responsible for a significant increase in the children’s panel related cases dealt with by the firm. Application of human rights to child law has led to an expansion of cases before the courts that the firm has dealt with. This was highlighted by the appeal decision in the Court of Session, as to what is a relevant person, which was decided in the case of Elizabeth Knox Area Reporter v L and S, reported on 26 May 2010 on the Scottish Courts web site. This case has been regarded as a landmark decision in those involving the children's reporter.
The Scottish Parliament regularly legislates on areas of law for which the firm provides legal advice. The partners firmly believe that one of the major factors which allows the firm to prosper in difficult times is the determination of all members to adjust to the changes brought about by the acts of the Scottish Parliament. Adapting to recent major changes in the adoption law is a further example of the way the firm has developed in response to Scottish legislation.
The firm has also built up relationships with voluntary organisations that represent vulnerable clients who need immediate legal assistance – which the partnership can provide – in relation to court services.
Now employing 11 solicitors – three partners, five assistants and three trainees – the partnership also hires law students during their vacation, so providing them with valuable work experience. This overall expansion led to the opening of a second office in 2009.
Despite ongoing challenging economic times, Thorley Stephenson has posted a 20 per cent increase in turnover in its last set of accounts – a substantial achievement for such a relatively new firm.
