About Us
David Burrows started in practice in 1973, as a new approach to law on relationship breakdown was developing throughout the country. Contested divorces were replaced by a more co-operative attitude to helping families to resolve their differences. The first family mediation service started in Bristol in 1979; and David was a leading member of the group that set it up.
In 1991 the Children Act 1989 came into force and David was involved in early pioneering case law under that Act (see reference to eg Re CT case below). In 1984 he had been a founder member of the Law Society’s Children Panel. Hot on the heels of Children Act 1989 came Child Support Act 1991. David is one of the few lawyers who specialises in child support. He has had two cases in House of Lords (now the Supreme Court) and he is involved in many of the High Court and Court of Appeal cases.
The firm was started by David in 1989. His intention was that it should specialise in family law and provide help to people, where possible, under legal aid. The firm is committed still to this aim and to a conciliatory approach to dealing with the legal consequences of family breakdown.
The firm recognises that where agreement cannot be reached, it may be necessary, to protect a client and his or her legal rights, to adopt a direct – sometimes highly technical – approach.
Involvement in child support work has lead David to a particular interest in Human Rights and judicial review; and the firm can now offer advice and representation on most aspects of this specialist subject (eg claims against the Legal Services Commission, local authorities, community care and so on).
All solicitors are members of Resolution – first for family law. David is a founder member of the then Solicitors Family Law Association (now Resolution). He is a member of its National Committee (and has been – mostly – since 1995: chair 2003) and Tom Quinn a member of it Procedure and costs Committee. Alison Lippman is a member of the specialist children lawyer’s Children Panel.
All solicitors ensure that they are fully up-to-date with legal developments; and David writes and lectures extensively on a range of aspects of family law (most recently Child Maintenance: the New Law (see further Publications); and he has in preparation books on Human Rights in Family Law; and Procedure and Evidence).
Lectures
Read lectures by David Burrows, delivered to a variety of audiences and covering subjects on which he is a respected authority.
Publications
View a selection of publications from David Burrows including articles on child maintenance.
