Staff Spotlight on Vines Legal Director Claire Clark

Vines Legal is exceptionally proud of the small but talented team of Family Law Solicitors that we’ve established over the years. In this month’s staff spotlight article, we’re talking to solicitor, and Vines’ newest Director, Claire Clark, about what drives her at work and why she loves what she does. Since joining Vines Legal back in 2010, Claire has played a key role in not only building the business a whole, but also in the training and development of newly qualified solicitors to further expand the team.

Passion for Family Law

 “I am extremely passionate about Family Law for a variety of reasons,” says Claire. “My main motivation is the ability to make a difference in the lives of our clients, particularly when they are going through major life changes. There’s something very special about being able to help people. After studying family law in my LPC (Legal Practice Course) I found that I had a particular interest in this area and was invested in helping people through these significant crossroads in their lives.

You start by meeting a client at what is often a very vulnerable time in their life. I enjoy being able to follow and work with the client throughout their journey, watching them grow and change as a person along the way. As their case heads towards completion, they inevitably realise that a separation isn’t the end of things. It’s just a change and time to start a new path.”

A Force for Change

“If there was an aspect of the current law that I feel could be updated to reflect modern life it would be cohabitation law,” says Claire. “Given the sheer number of people in the UK that choose not to marry but are in cohabiting relationships instead, and in addition to the fact that this figure rises year on year, reform is definitely needed. Of course, we deal with many couples who choose to protect themselves with Cohabitation Agreements, but there’s no doubt that this area of the law is somewhat outdated and fails to reflect the realities of modern life.

The recent change in divorce law that came into effect last year was a huge shake up with the introduction of the new no-fault divorce option. It’s a sensible change that negates the need to place blame, therefore making the separation and divorce process more amicable where possible and benefitting any children involved as a result. By ending the need for separating couples to apportion blame for the breakdown of their marriage, they are now able to apply for divorce by simply stating their marriage has broken down irretrievably.”

Claire studied Law in Leeds followed by the Legal Practice Course at Nottingham Law School. She then completed her training contract with Vines Legal which reached its conclusion in December 2012, before progressing to become an Associate Solicitor, and now a Director. Specialising in the field of Family and Matrimonial Law, Claire is also a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel, dealing with both the married and the unmarried family.

Contact Vines Legal for All Aspects of Family Law

Find out more about the Vines Legal team, including Claire, please visit https://www.vineslegal.co.uk/about-us/. To contact Claire for a free initial, no obligation consultation, please email claire.clark@vineslegal.co.uk, or call us on 01246 555610 for immediate, friendly and professional advice.