Our Team

Caroline Swain

Caroline Swain

Partner Solicitor

 

Caroline joined BPS in 2010. She became the first female Partner for the firm (established in 1948) in 2013.  Caroline is widely renowned as one of the most sought after divorce and matrimonial finance lawyers in the UK and has become the ‘solicitor of choice’ for representing ultra-high net worth and complex disputes both in the North and South of the country.

Caroline’s experience in highly complex cases means she has become the ‘go to’ Solicitor for client’s seeking a robust and knowledgeable divorce lawyer. She has in depth knowledge of dealing with multi-national companies, Trusts, inheritance disputes, overseas properties and inter family financial structures within a separation.  Alluding confidence in the law she has the essential foundations of knowledge which is a must within any strong lawyer. Clients are very quickly reassured on meeting Caroline that they are in the best possible hands.

Caroline has represented client’s involving Maintenance Pending Suit applications (ensuring  clients have sufficient income to meet their requirements until final settlement), enforcement of Court Orders including Judgement Summons and Committal to Prison for non-payment of maintenance, claims of ‘Sham’ when client’s have believed a spouse has manipulated their disclosure to defeat financial claims,  obtaining expert reports relating to a value of a parties interest in a company when their valuation is not accepted, considering complex Trust arrangements and considering whether a party can access funds held within a Trust. Caroline has dealt with claims against Inheritance and wider family wealth and is fully appraised in Pension sharing.

Along with a strong client base in the North of England Caroline represents many clients from the South and regularly appears in Courts across the Country. Further, Caroline represents clients globally and has a strong reputation across the seas. Due to her commitment and professionalism, much of Caroline’s work is generated through recommendations, clients respect her formidable approach to her work.

Central to Caroline’s ethos is that she’s available outside of standard working hours. Recognising that many family related issues arise outside of these hours she is regularly known to be taking calls and meeting with client’s late at night, the early hours of the morning and weekends.

Caroline also has a wealth of knowledge and experience in Pre-Nuptial Agreements, TOLATA disputes and Child of the family related issues. Caroline has represented many high profile clients in entering into Pre-Nuptial and Post Nuptial Agreements ensuring Agreements are correctly worded and enforceability is appropriately addressed. She has represented clients seeking both to uphold and withdraw from Agreement’s that they have entered into.

Over the past 10 years Caroline has represented both mothers and fathers who have concerns relating to their children including; the time their child spends with them or the other parent, concerns relating to a parent’s ability to care for a child, issues surrounding a child’s education and internal and external relocation of a child.

Disputes relating to non-married parties to a separation are complex and require expert knowledge. Caroline represents clients who require clear advice relating to their legal rights in relation to the rights to assets on separation.

Client has represented clients in the Magistrates Court, County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal across the Country. She has strong relationships with the very best Barrister’s and Kings Counsel in the North and the South which she considers to be invaluable to her clients. Those relationships enable Caroline to build a case which is hard-hitting from inception to the final days of settlement/Final Hearing.

Caroline offers bespoke appointments to suit professionals and busy lifestyles. BPS Family Law hold appointments for clients outside of working hours during evenings and weekends. First consultation is without charge. If you would like to meet with Caroline please contact her, 0161 926 1430.

Harry Lipson

Harry Lipson

Partner Solicitor

 

Harry joined BPS in 1973. Harry became a Partner with the firm 1976 after completing his Articles with BPS.  From being invested in the firm at a young age Harry became Senior Partner in 2001 and has since developed a successful commercial law firm.

Harry is Senior Partner to a professional, pro-active and successful team of lawyers. A firm believer that BPS’s Partner led departments offer a level of service and expertise which is becoming extinct in the profession. Harry is well known for reminiscing on how the profession has changed over the years and is committed to maintaining the values of a traditional law firm.

Harry practises in Matrimonial Finance. In particular, he has detailed knowledge of complex and high net financial settlements, including matters relating to businesses, pensions, trusts, the hiding and disposition of assets and money held overseas. Harry has represented many high profile clients and has a reputation within the profession as being the divorce lawyer of choice for every high net worth case.  He represents clients across the UK predominately dealing with highly complex cases bringing a commercial approach to achieving a settlement. Harry’s experience and knowledge of the law and practical knowledge of business and finances allows him to provide clear and concise advice and develop successful solutions for cases other lawyers would shy away from.

Harry has represented a number of high profile clients and reported cases including: –

 

  • N v N
  • Hussain -v- Singh
  • Ezair -v- Ezair
Sefton Kwasnik

Sefton Kwasnik

Partner Solicitor

 

Sefton is a solicitor who ever since he qualified in 1981 has always striven passionately and fearlessly to represent his clients to the maximum of his ability and to achieve the best possible results.

He has acquired a wealth of experience during that time which has seen him represent a large number of Families at complex Inquests throughout England and Wales, and he is the Honorary Legal Officer for The Compassionate Friends.

He also  represents Members of the Medical Profession, and the Legal Profession before their respective Disciplinary Bodies.

Sefton has also represented Companies who face very serious investigations from agencies such as the HSE, Environment Agency, and Trading Standards and business men who have successfully challenged search warrants when their homes and businesses have been unlawfully raided under the guise of an invalid search warrant.

Sefton also represents clients who have been very seriously injured in all forms of accident.

Sefton has an unerring eye for detail and undertakes immaculate preparation on all of his cases believing that the vast majority are won in the office before they get into court.

Sefton offers his clients a passionate and dedicated bespoke service which interacts with the client’s own needs. He will deal with matters in the early morning or late evening if this is easier, and offers to speak to and meet clients between 7 am and 11 pm 7 days a week, with adequate planning.

Sefton’s most recent successes include representing a Solicitor before the SDT who only received a reprimand. He has also represented an eminent consultant before the GMC and preserved his ability to practice, and then successfully obtained the removal of conditions attached to the same.

Sefton has also successfully represented a consultant who was unanimously acquitted by a jury upon a false allegation of a sexual assault, and has also represented  an estranged husband who was acquitted of false allegations of raping his wife twice during an 11 year marriage.

He has also secured damages of almost £750,000-00 for the family who lost a husband and father to two young children in a Fatal road traffic collision, overcoming enormous evidential difficulties and a 5 year battle against the driver’s insurers who refused to negotiate for that whole length of time, until just before the trial.

Jennifer Roulston

Jennifer Roulston

Senior Associate

 

Jennifer qualified in 2004 having practised in family law since 2001. She has previously been a head of a large family team at a regional law firm and brings with her decades of experience in all family law issues. Jennifer has been the Law Gazette’s Lawyer of the Week and has been acted in cases which have obtained huge media publicity and government attention. She is confident and straight – talking in even the most high profile of cases. She is a member of Resolution and sits on their Practice Standards Panel where she comments on the work of other family solicitors. Regularly she is instructed on behalf of other fellow solicitors and barristers who appreciate her honest and practical advice. Jennifer is happy to take instructions from all clients in all areas of family law.

 

Joanne O’Donnell

Joanne O’Donnell

Solicitor

Joanne joined BPS in 2022, having previously worked for reputable firms across Cheshire and Manchester. Over her years in practice, Joanne has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience and has specialised in the area of family law since the early stages of her legal career.

She has extensive experience in dealing with divorces and the associated matters that come along with the breakdown of a marriage including financial and children disputes.

Katie Trowell

Katie Trowell

Legal Assistant

 

Katie joined BPS Family Law in July 2021 and works within the team as Legal Assistant.

Katie graduated with a Law Degree in 2019 and went into litigation before taking her steps into Family Law.

Katie assists the Partners and Solicitors and is often the first point of contact for our clients. With a warm and approachable personality she instantly puts clients at ease something which our clients regularly comment upon. She thrives from building relationships and looks forward to welcoming clients to the firm and helping them along their journey with us.

Kerrie Bonney

Kerrie Bonney

Legal Assistant

 

Kerrie has worked within law for 20 years.

She has for decades assisted the busiest Solicitors and frequently organised multiple Partners at once.

She is popular with clients as she is calm, knowledgeable and highly efficient.

Clients and fellow professionals always comment on how Kerrie goes the extra mile for a case and nothing is ever too much trouble.

Kerrie joined BPS Family Law in February 2022 and has worked with Jennifer for over a decade so you can be reassured that this is a team who works well together.

 

Rosie Horner

Rosie Horner

Legal Assistant

Rosie works closely Caroline and Jennifer playing a significant role in cases which are before the Court; monitoring and supporting case progression. She ensures that our clients are fully informed of the progress of their case and legal fees.   Rosie ensures that our clients understand the next steps of their case and what we need from them to assist us providing the very best representation. Rosie also directs clients to assist with budgeting for legal fees ensuring they are able to access legal advice when needed without causing financial difficulty.