Paul Summerbell

Contact member now

Linked in (URL):              https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsummerbell/

Professional Qualifications/Professional Memberships:

Solicitor, Advanced Member of the Family Panel and Accredited Specialist with Resolution in children and complex financial matters.

Current Role 

An experienced family solicitor with over 25 years’ experience representing clients from all walks of life. First trained in central London before moving to Kent and opening his own law firm in which he was Managing Partner and head of both the Family and Personal Injury Departments as well as Legal Aid Liaison and Supervisor.

Experience of all courts and levels of representation from the local Magistrates Court to the Court of Appeal. Experienced in advising high net worth clients with assets of many millions of pounds. Drafting and negotiating prenuptial agreements and dealing with financial orders/negotiations in cases involving clients of high net worth.

Experience of dealing with cohabitants and actions under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act together with enforcement of such cases.

Knowledge and first-hand experience of dealing with many aspects of the law relating to children including applications involving the relocation of children. Including difficult international relocation cases Re: TC and JC (Children: Relocation) [2013] EWHC 292 (Fam) (21 February 2013). And also, in the matter of F (A Child) (International Relocation Cases) [2015] EWCA Civ 882

Personal Skills:

Practical no nonsense advice and approach to problem solving with a focus on the everyday needs of the client. Clear focus on the ultimate aims and wishes of the client.

Previous professional experience:

Experienced business owner managing employees and mediating/resolving everyday business issues. Strong analytical and communication skills with an emphasis on negotiation and problem solving of client issues in a practical manner.  The ability to communicate effectively with clients from all walks of life and courts at all levels.

Reported cases:

1. International child relocation/abduction – https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Fam/2013/292.html&query=TC+and+JC&method=boolean – TC and JC (Children: Relocation) [2013] EWHC 292 (Fam) (21 February 2013)
2. International child relocation – https://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed146235 – Re F (A Child) (International Relocation Cases) [2015] EWCA Civ 882
3. Deduction and recovery of benefits – https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2002/1848.html – Clenshaw v Tanner (2002) EWCA Civ 1848
4. Wodehouse v Wodehouse – Financial Order (2018) https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2018/3009.pdf

Books/Publications

“101 Question’s Answered about Separating with Children” Only Mums & Dads (2019) https://bathpublishing.com/products/101-questions-answered-about-separating-with-children

 Testimonials/Endorsements:

Violet (Client)

What could they have done better?

No

What were the circumstances that caused you to look for a legal adviser?

Cohabitation agreement.

How did Paul Summerbell help you?

Paul was very quick, patient and officiant.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

 

Levi (Client)

 

What could they have done better?

I don’t think anything more needed doing as Paul was confident of the outcome throughout the court process.

What were the circumstances that caused you to look for a legal adviser?

To have my children living with me permanently.

How did Paul Summerbell help you?

Paul helped me gain custody of my children leading to them living with me until they are 18 years of age.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes I have seen the outcome I was hoping for and forever grateful for Pauls help.

 

Allan (Client)

What could they have done better?

I really cannot think of anything he could have done better than he did!

What were the circumstances that caused you to look for a legal adviser?

My Ex Partner kept using our daughter as a weapon and kept stopping contact whenever she felt like it, she would look for reasons or manufacture them, she would not put our child above her own agenda!.

How did Paul Summerbell help you?

He explained everything to me carefully and showed great patents with me even though I can be very impulsive, he kept me calm but was not shy about telling me when I was doing wrong which is what I like about him! he did not molly coddle me but always told me what I needed to hear and not just what I wanted to here!.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

I was given full custody of my daughter 18 months after Mr Summerbell became involved which is the outcome I was after!.

Serena (Client)

What could they have done better?

N/A

What were the circumstances that caused you to look for a legal adviser?

Divorce.

How did Paul Summerbell help you?

Working efficiently and thoroughly to ensure a positive result in my divorce.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes.

 

Elizabeth (client)

 

What were the circumstances that caused you to look for a legal adviser?

After 12mths of difficulty with my spouse agreeing a divorce and having little confidence in a firm in Havent, I was recommended to Warrens Law & Advocacy in Eastbourne. I gave my case to Mr Paul Summerbell and throughout the entire process I have been extremely impressed with his tenacity, integrity and professionalism. I would recommend him without hesitation.

How did Paul Summerbell help you?

By taking on my case which was acrimonious from the start, and I believe complicated due to the involvement of a family trust. Mr Summerbell assured me that he had confidence in the success of my case and conducted himself with the utmost professionalism throughout. He encounted many delays, objections and obstructions introduced by my ex husband and he has dealt with all these situations with ease.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Yes, the judgement I have received far exceeds my expectations.

 

Vicky (Client)

What were the circumstances that caused you to look for a legal adviser?

Family law.

How did Paul Summerbell help you?

Paul Summerbell helped me through my case from beginning to end and was fantastic throughout. He gave excellent advice throughout the entirety of the case and I trusted his advice completely.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

It was a better outcome than I could have hoped for and I would not hesitate in recommending him to anyone.

 

Nina (Client)

What could they have done better?

Nothing.

What were the circumstances that caused you to look for a legal adviser?

Divorce procedure.

How did Paul Summerbell help you?

Paul Summerbell has dealt with matters concerning the financial as well as Children sides of the divorce in an efficient and professional way. He has explained everything in a way which was clear to me, given excellent advice and helped me make the right decisions throughout my divorce proceedings.

Have you seen the outcome you were hoping for?

Proceedings are ongoing.

https://accounts.vouchedfor.co.uk/reviews/45213