Vanessa Gardiner

Vanessa Gardiner was a Partner in a top 100 law firm before joining Merali Beedle in 2026.  She is a specialist family solicitor and FMA-trained family mediator (WTA) with over 19 years’ experience in family law and 15 years’ training in Collaborative practice. Based in Reading, she advises clients across the Thames Valley, Oxford and London as well as nationally providing a trauma informed approach and offering clear, compassionate and constructive advice on all family law matters including:-

• Collaborative Law & Family Mediation (including MIAMs)
• Divorce proceedings & dissolution of Civil Partnerships
• Separation for married and unmarried couples
• Financial negotiations and agreements
• Child arrangements, child relocation, child abduction, Parental Responsibility, Prohibited Steps Orders & Specific Issue Orders relating to education, medical issues and assessments
• Domestic abuse, Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders
• Pre-Nuptial Agreements and Post-Nuptial Agreements
• Cohabitation Agreements
• Legal advice for couples working in family mediation.

Vanessa’s approach helps clients understand their options, make informed decisions and move through difficult family law matters with confidence and practical support.    I support and understand the benefits for the family as a whole of practising in a conciliatory manner, with lawyers and clients working on a face-to-face basis & always practise with integrity and creativity.

She is experienced working with clients experiencing high conflict behaviour from narcissistic personality types and with mental health challenges.

When litigation is necessary I can navigate the Family Court and arbitration processes with confidence.

Merali Beedle is an SRA regulated law firm. I am independent, manage my own work and provide a personalised and professional service to my clients who are my primary focus.

Vanessa is also a member of Resolution, an association of family law professionals who seek to reform family law and promote a constructive and amicable approach to dispute resolution, as well as Thames Valley Family Lawyers’ Society, Thames Valley Collaborative Lawyers, Family Mediation Association and Family Mediation Council and Association of Family Law Supervisors.

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