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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

Ruth Sharon

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

Ruth Sharon

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

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

Ruth Sharon

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

Child Arrangements articles

Where the law is concerned, the welfare of a child is paramount. As a firm, we are committed to the wellbeing of all children during legal proceedings or mediation. We have written a number of articles which you may find useful if you are needing some advice on making arrangements for your children. If you have specific requirements, please contact one of our child law specialists.

What is a Family Group Conference (FGC)

Irena Osborne

A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a decision-making process that empowers families to tak…

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

Beth Hancock

What is an initial viability assessment? If there are safeguarding concerns about a child, Children’…

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Grandparents day: The rights of grandparents

Ruth Hawkins

Last Sunday (5th October) was Grandparents’ Day in the UK. I am sure it’s mainly a day which has bee…

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Start planning your Christmas arrangements early.

Ruth Hawkins

Christmas should be a magical, exciting time of year for children.  However, when their parents…

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Tips for co-parenting through the summer holidays

Ruth Hawkins

Are you struggling to agree arrangements for your children for the school holidays? The school summe…

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Children disputes: think before you fight

Ruth Hawkins

This week it’s been Mental Health Awareness Week, which has prompted me to think back on my 26 years…

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Plan ahead for school holidays

Ruth Hawkins

Don’t wait until school holiday are here before you think about your parenting arrangements and plan…

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Changes in Legal Aid in Special Guardianship cases

Ruth Hawkins

There has been a very welcome recent change in eligibility for Legal Aid for those involved in Speci…

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Help for separating parents in the Court Process

Ruth Hawkins

Until recently, parents who could not reach agreement on their child or children’s arrangements, and…

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Separated Parents and going on Holiday

Helen Bishop

It is that time of year, with Christmas behind us that we start to plan the forthcoming year and the…

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Parenting through separation – a new guide for separating parents

Ruth Hawkins

If you are a parent thinking about divorce or separation, one of your biggest worries is likely to b…

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101 Questions Answered When Separating With Children

Ruth Hawkins

Boardman Hawkins & Osborne have decided to provide our clients, prospective clients, and anyone …

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Applying for a Child Arrangements Order without a lawyer

Emily Boardman

A Child Arrangements Order is an order that sets out arrangements for a child – that is most commonl…

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Co-parenting tips.

Ruth Hawkins

Regardless of whether you are married, divorced, or separated, co-parenting is never easy when you a…

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Kinship care

Ruth Hawkins

At BH&O, we know what a great job many grandparents, aunts and uncles and relatives are doing in…

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Kinship care: What order do I need?

Ruth Hawkins

At BH&O, we know what a great job many grandparents, aunts and uncles and relatives are doing in…

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Grandparents Day: 6th October

Ruth Hawkins

Grandparents Day approaches this weekend on 6th October Many grandparents support parents with child…

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Separation and parenting through the pandemic: key questions answered

Ruth Hawkins

Irena and I are delighted to have contributed to this new book, a supplement to last year’s 101 ques…

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Re W – a successful appeal against a placement and care order (and a costs order against the LA)

Emily Boardman

Article originally published on transparencyproject.org.uk The background  The appellant is the…

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Kinship care week

Ruth Hawkins

5th to 11th October is Kinship Care week.  At BH&O, we know what a great job many grandpare…

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101 Questions Answered About Separating with Children

Ruth Hawkins

Ruth Hawkins has contributed to this New Book 101 Questions Answered About Separating with…

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What happens to the wider family when parents separate?

Ruth Hawkins

It’s that time of year when families come together, and grandparents and aunts and uncles get to see…

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