Partner, Family
I was asked to describe my approach in two words “fair but firm” was my reply. Okay that is three words but I always try to give that little bit more. Here is what my clients say.
Client testimonials:
“I changed solicitors to Peter Martin as after three months I still had no real idea of where we were heading and felt no progress was being made. I received more advice from Peter in the first hour than I had received in the previous three months and the outcome was exactly as he predicted”.
“Peter is so calm and patient that he enabled me to deal with the issues following my split up without losing my mind”.
“You defused the situation. My husband and I can talk to each other again as parents and the children are much better because of this”.
“I just wanted to say thank you thank you thank you”.
*For confidentiality reasons we are unable to disclose client names
Expertise:
Having been a specialist family lawyer for over 35 years I am, as you would expect, particularly good at advising clients on all of the issues that arise from the breakdown of their marriage, partnership or relationship. This includes, of course, all of the financial consequences for couples with both modest assets and high net worth individuals.
Over the years I have advised in many high net worth cases and obtained successful outcomes. I am an examiner for and part of the technical board of the Law Society Advanced Family Law Panel. This means I set and mark the examinations that other aspiring specialists take.
My key specialism’s are :-
- General Divorce and family issues
- High net worth financial matters
- Children and Issues of who they should live with and how often they should see the other parent
- International Issues including the financial complexities of international relationships and leave to remove cases
- Anglo Swedish Family Law (yes it is an odd specialism and I am probably one of only three or four people with this specialism)
- Child Abduction Cases
What makes me different is my approach. I believe that clients need to be advised fully and in as much detail at the outset so that their expectations of what is achievable and what is realistic (bearing in mind the vagaries of the judicial system) can be managed. I try to negotiate and settle cases as early as possible as this is of the greatest benefit to the clients, their children and their pockets.
I strongly believe that as most couples have children trying to maintain their relationship as parents is incredibly important and of benefit to children. If children are able to see that even when their parents separate that they both still love them and that each realises that the other does as well, this can have long lasting effects to their benefit.
I have long held this view, which is why I was one of the first solicitors to also train as a mediator over 20 years ago. I was also one of the first to train as a collaborative family lawyer. For more details of what mediation and collaborative law are, please follow this link http://www.ogrstockdenton.com/site/services_for_you/mediation_solicitors_finchley/
Unfortunately it is not always possible to obtain cooperation from the other party or their lawyers in dealing with matters amicably. Sometimes urgent action is also necessary to protect assets. In these cases strong and efficient action is necessary and I pride myself on being tough where necessary. This approach can also be useful in negotiation on behalf of clients when I am, as stated at the beginning of this, firm but fair.
Finally I am a member of Resolution and a Resolution Accredited Specialist.
Recent notable experience:
- Acting for a premier league footballer in an application for maintenance for the child and its mother under Schedule 1 of the Children Act
- Recent Comment from a High Court Judge in a case in which the other side’s costs were twice those of this firm “it is well known what good value Peter Martin is”
Career:
University of Westminster LLB
Articled (that was what training used to be called!) to S Rutter & Co Specialist Divorce Lawyers
I joined Osmond Gaunt & Rose (the previous incarnation of this firm) in 1979; became a partner in 1983 and the Head of the Family Department by 1990.
Memberships:
- Accredited Specialist of Resolution
- Member of the Law Society Family Law Panel
- Examiner and Part of the Technical Board for the Law Society Advanced Family Law Panel
- Member of the Justice Department Child Abduction Panel
- Resolution Collaborative Lawyer
- Accredited Mediator of Resolution and the Family Mediators Association
Personal background:
I have been happily married since 1975. I have three children and two grandchildren. Grandchildren can be much more fun! I am heavily involved in local communal work in my synagogue. From the age of 18 I have been active in Youth and Education work and continue to be so. I am a keen wine buff and occasionally enjoy watching football. I go to many matches, it is only occasionally they are enjoyable! For my 60th birthday I gave myself the present of running the London Marathon.
