Stowe Family Law (Stowe) is delighted to share successes in this year’s Chambers and Partners Directory.
Chambers and Partners is an annual legal directory, covering the global legal sector. The Directory is built by independent research analysts who conduct reviews into 78 specialist legal sectors, providing rankings to help professionals and clients search for reliable recommendations.
Stowe Rankings
This year, we have 5 regions ranked, including 2 new entries:
- East Midlands
- South West
- Thames Valley
- Yorkshire
- North East
Stowe has also seen 15 lawyers ranked, including several promotions this year. Congratulations to Julian Hawkhead and Emma Newman on their ranking as Eminent Practitioner, joined this year by Rachel Roberts.
Beth Sheridan, Sarah Crilly, Joanna Newton, Annabel Hayward, Rebecca Calden-Storr and Angela Sussens have all achieved Band 3 ranking this year. They are joined in the Directory by Helen Miller and Rachel Fisher, who have both achieved Band 4.
We are delighted that Hollie Murray and Laura Stocks have been noted as Associates to Watch, and Florence Ashcroft-Lane and Charlotte Newman have achieved Up and Coming status.
Stowe is pleased to feature across 49 recommendations both team and individual.
East Midlands
The ‘quick and efficient’ East Midlands team has ranked as Band 3 in Chambers and Partners 2026. They have been noted as being ‘very thorough with the entirety of the process, both in advising clients and obtaining information.’
The team is praised for its collaborative approach and willingness to ‘engage in various models of non-court dispute resolution, bringing real value and efficiency for their clients’ and for their ‘realistic advice well rooted in experience of the courts’.
Beth Sheridan has been described as ‘highly skilled in navigating a diverse range of complex family law issues’. Her strengths are hugely appreciated:
“Beth Sheridan is as intelligent as she is empathetic; clients trust and like her. She gives clear, sound advice and is an exceptional solicitor.”
Her colleague Florence Ashcroft-Lane, ranked as Up and Coming, has received very positive testimonials, describing her ‘exceptional client care skills’ and that she:
“has consistently demonstrated that her clients are of paramount importance to her together with her knowledge and awareness of complex matters.”
Thames Valley
Congratulations to the Thames Valley region on achieving Band 3 ranking in Chambers and Partners 2026. They have been praised for their ‘balanced and informed advice’ and the ‘broad spectrum of knowledge sharing’.
“Stowe Family Law’s solicitors are very nice to work with: they are knowledgeable, easy to get hold of and work collaboratively”
“The team is very knowledgeable, kind, helpful and informative; all questions are answered with speed and efficiency”
Annabel Hayward, ranked as Band 3, has been noted as being ‘very sensible’. She ‘listens well and provides good advice that she acts on’.
North East
The ‘dedicated, organised and responsive’ team in the North East have entered the rankings for the first time, achieving Band 2 ranking. This is a huge achievement and testament to the dedication of the team to their client service. Congratulations!
They are noted for giving ‘good advice and friendly service’.
“A very attentive team all round and highly experienced; they were empathetic while remaining highly professional during a challenging case.”
“Stowe’s national presence and seamless ability to bring in members across the family team from its various locations is a huge benefit and allows exposure to the wider team.”
Sarah Crilly, a Band 3 ranked lawyer, is ‘very good at fighting her client’s corner’ and is described as ‘knowledgeable and thorough’.
She is joined in the rankings by Associate to Watch Hollie Murray, who is ‘a joy to work with’. Hollie is described as ‘highly responsive and organised and provides excellent advice’.
“My rights were always her main focus and she made sure I understood what I was agreeing to.”
Yorkshire
The Yorkshire team have maintained their Band 2 ranking in Chambers 2026. They have received fantastic testimonials, reflecting the skill across the team.
“They have a huge breadth of knowledge across the firm to enable them to handle any matter.”
“The whole team make you feel like you are part of the family.”
Julian Hawkhead, one of Stowe’s Eminent Practitioners, is described as ‘very good and sensible’. He:
“prepares cases really well.”
Congratulations to Rachel Roberts, who has been promoted from Band 2 to Eminent Practitioner this year. Rachel is described as a ‘very experienced lawyer’.
“Rachel is great to work with on a case. She is clear in her position and sensible in trying to reach a deal.”
Angela Sussens, a Band 3 ranked lawyer, is noted as being ‘hugely hard-working and really good at client care. She works incredibly hard to get the case in shape and she is meticulous.’
“Angela is very realistic and knowledgeable but she fights her client’s corner.”
West Midlands
Rebecca Calden-Storr, a Band 3 ranked lawyer, received the following testimonials, reflecting on her exceptional client care.
“Rebecca has always been brilliant in client management. Working with her feels like you are a team.”
Her ‘professional and compassionate’ colleague Laura Stocks has been ranked as an Associate to Watch, and is described as being ‘very careful’ and a ‘very excellent solicitor’.
South West
The South West region has maintained its Band 3 ranking in this year’s directory. The team is described as giving ‘solid legal advice while being supportive’.
“They filled me with confidence that I was in good hands and had made the right choice.”
Partner Joanna Newton once again achieved Band 3 status – an ongoing testament to her skills in family law and client management.
“I can’t rate her highly enough. She has a really good analytical brain.”
Rachel Fisher has been promoted to Band 4 this year and is described as ‘a real powerhouse and workhorse within the team’. Her approachability is noted and she ‘really gets to the heart of the case quickly’.
North West
Helen Miller achieved Band 4 status in Chambers 2026. She has received numerous testimonials reflecting on her experience and client care.
“Helen was great and handled the case with care and intelligence.”
“Helen provides excellent and succinct advice. She really knows her stuff and explained everything to me very clearly.”
“Helen is incredibly focused and is extremely good at client care.”
“She is an excellent lawyer who is always thinking about how to get the best solution.”
The South
Emma Newman, one of the firm’s ranked Eminent Practitioners, is praised for being ‘a good leader’ and a ‘great example for the team’.
“Emma is very capable, focused and a good solicitor.”