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Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP is a niche family practice established in 2018 by  partners, Emily Boardman, Ruth Hawkins and Irena Osborne.

We offer legal advice, representation,  mediation by mediators who are also practising solicitors, and other forms of family dispute resolution.

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BHO Heritage

Emily Boardman

Founding Partner

Ruth Hawkins

Founding Partner

Irena Osborne

Founding Partner

Helen Bishop

Helen Bishop

Head of Matrimonial Team

Carrie Rudge

Consultant solicitor

Seona Myerscough

Consultant solicitor

Amanda Stopps

Consultant solicitor

Simone Brown 

Consultant solicitor

Beth Hancock

Solicitor

Lucie Cotmore-Brown

Office Manager

Kerri-Anne Matthews

Senior paralegal

Debra Newman

PA and Billing Assistant

Sophie Hibbert

Legal Administration Assistant

Sarah Morgan

Consultant Case Worker

Anna Regan

Receptionist/office administrator

Oliviya Edison

Paralegal

Divorce & separation

Divorce & Separation Specialists

Helen Bishop

Helen Bishop

Head of Matrimonial Team

Carrie Rudge

Consultant solicitor

Amanda Stopps

Consultant solicitor

Simone Brown 

Consultant solicitor

Divorce & Separation Articles

Divorce – how to reach a financial agreement in a more amicable way

Divorce and Business Assets: What Happens to a Business During Divorce?

What is a consent order and do I need one?

Cost of Living Crisis and the effect on Financial Proceedings.

Private FDR’s

The No Fault Divorce – The Big Family Law Shake Up

"They are sensible, pragmatic and client-focused"

Chambers & Partners 2025
Children

Children Specialists

Emily Boardman

Founding Partner

Ruth Hawkins

Founding Partner

Irena Osborne

Founding Partner

Helen Bishop

Helen Bishop

Head of Matrimonial Team

Carrie Rudge

Consultant solicitor

Seona Myerscough

Consultant solicitor

Amanda Stopps

Consultant solicitor

Simone Brown 

Consultant solicitor

Beth Hancock

Solicitor

Children Articles

Prospective adopters who misled court have their adoption order set aside

Revocation of adoption orders: Part three (The Supreme Court)

Applying to adopt without the LA’s support

What is a Family Group Conference (FGC)

Post-adoption contact – one year on

I have had a negative initial viability assessment – what do I do?

Grandparents day: The rights of grandparents

Revocation of adoption orders: Part two (the Court of Appeal)

Start planning your Christmas arrangements early.

Tips for co-parenting through the summer holidays

“They are empathetic, efficient and child-focused”

Chambers & Partners 2025
Pre-nuptial & cohabitation agreements

Pre nuptial + cohabitation agreement Specialists

Helen Bishop

Helen Bishop

Head of Matrimonial Team

Carrie Rudge

Consultant solicitor

Simone Brown 

Consultant solicitor

Pre nuptial + cohabitation agreement Articles

Cohabitation Myths and Facts

What is a pre-nup, and do I need one?

"Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne are always consistent, and the quality throughout the team is great"

Legal 500
Mediation

Mediation Specialists

Ruth Hawkins

Founding Partner

Mediation Articles

Mediation – the frequently asked questions

The process of mediation

Child inclusive mediation

Children disputes: think before you fight

What is Non Court Dispute Resolution, and what does it mean for me?

Family Mediation – busting some myths

We have a solutions based, flexible approach to helping you resolve your issues on separation. Our experienced team of accredited mediators here to help.

Domestic Abuse

Domestic Abuse Specialists

Helen Bishop

Helen Bishop

Head of Matrimonial Team

Seona Myerscough

Consultant solicitor

Amanda Stopps

Consultant solicitor

Domestic Abuse Articles

Domestic abuse: An order or no order?

Domestic abuse in financial remedy proceedings

New help for domestic abuse victims

BH&O supporting
Happy Even After: a play about domestic abuse

"I think clients would want to know that they are treated as individuals, that the firm is empathetic and understanding. They went out of their way to support and help me"

Legal 500

Adoption articles

Partner, Emily Boardman, has written numerous articles for prospective adopters to help them understand when they may need to take legal advice, as well as to understand their rights if any disputes were to occur with placements or birth parents.

Prospective adopters who misled court have their adoption order set aside

Emily Boardman

A recent case heard by the Court of Appeal is of particular interest to prospective adopters. It inv…

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Revocation of adoption orders: Part three (The Supreme Court)

Emily Boardman

I have previously written about an application made by an adoptive mother (my client) to revoke adop…

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Applying to adopt without the LA’s support

Emily Boardman

The majority of prospective adopters make their application to adopt through the normal ‘agency’ rou…

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Post-adoption contact – one year on

Emily Boardman

Nearly a year ago the public law working group published their recommendations for best practice in …

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Revocation of adoption orders: Part two (the Court of Appeal)

Emily Boardman

I have previously written about a High Court decision to refuse to revoke an adoption order under th…

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Revocation of adoption orders

Emily Boardman

A case has just been published in which I represented the applicant, an adoptive mother, who sought …

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When can a local authority remove a child placed for adoption?

Emily Boardman

In another article that aims to provide information for prospective adopters Emily Boardman sets out…

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When an application is made to oppose an Adoption Order

Emily Boardman

There are a number of circumstances that can call into question the plan for adoption for a child. I…

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When an application is made to overturn a placement order

Emily Boardman

There are a number of circumstances that can call into question the plan for adoption for a child. I…

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Reflections on National Adoption Week

Emily Boardman

I am a trustee at Adoption UK and I am a family solicitor. I represent birth families and children i…

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The Somerset case – Part two

Emily Boardman

In February I wrote an article that summarised the first Judgment in relation to the Somerset cases …

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The Somerset case on non-compliant Placement Orders

Emily Boardman

See also: The Somerset case – Part two In November 2021 a case went to court that has sent shock wav…

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