Domestic Violence


Our family team consists of two partners, Barbara Hopkin and Sarah Beskine, and four solicitors Sarah Bold, Celene Boatswain and Heike Zentner. We are supported by a team of trainee solicitors and paralegals. Members of our family team have a wide range of experience in all fields of family law and a number of them are on specialist panels and all are members of Resolution.

If you or your children are at risk of violence or are being harassed by your ex/partner it is important to act quickly to take steps to obtain protection. Sometimes there is a real risk that children might be abducted. The courts have extensive powers to grant orders to protect the safety of you and your children and to give you security in your home by excluding a violent ex partner or prohibiting them from returning.

We offer urgent appointments so that if necessary your case can go to court for emergency protection at once – often within the day or 24 hours.

We can liaise closely with our Housing Department if the issues in your case require their help.

Our family team act quickly, efficiently and sympathetically to ensure clients get the professional help they need.

What will it cost?

Depending upon your financial circumstances you may qualify for legal aid (now called public funding). We will automatically carry out an assessment when we first have contact with you to see whether or not you are eligible.

If you are not entitled to public funding we will discuss with you other ways of funding your case including agreed terms of payment.

How to contact us?

Contact us on 020 7272 1234, or email us at newclients@hmbsolicitors.co.uk