Peter Martin

Consultant | Family Law
T: (0)20 8349 5477
E: pmartin@ogrstockdenton.com

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 all of the financial consequences for both those couples with both modest assets and high-net-worth individuals.

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 firmly believe, given that many 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 about mediation and collaborative law, please click here.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to obtain co-operation from the other party or their lawyers or resolve the matter amicably. Sometimes a swift response is necessary to protect assets. In these cases strong and efficient action is required 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.

Extra Information

Key Specialiasms

General divorce and family issues.
High-net-worth financial matters.
Issues relating to who a child should live with and how often they should see the other parent.
International matters, including the financial complexities of international relationships and “leave to remove cases”.
Anglo Swedish Family Law (I am probably one of only three or four people with this specialism).
Child abduction cases.
Arbitration – as one of the first family law arbitrators.

Education/Background

I studied my LLB at the University of Westminster and was 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.

Notable Cases

Acting for a Premier League footballer in an application for maintenance for the child and its mother under Schedule 1 of the Children Act.
Commenting in a recent case in which the other side’s costs were twice those of my client, a High Court Judge “it is well known what good value Peter Martin is.”.

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
Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Member of the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators.

Outside Interests

I have been happily married since 1975. I have three children and three 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 actively involved 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, although it is only occasionally they are enjoyable! For my 60th birthday I gave myself the present of running the London Marathon.

Sectors

Family Law

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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.”

“I owe you a great debt of gratitude for the kind, helpful, empathic way you dealt with me and went about your business at a time in my life when I was suffering huge emotional pain. I did not really understand what was happening to me but you did, and your advice was invaluable.”

“Keep up your good work Peter, because I am sure when you finally decide to hang up your daily family law work you will derive great satisfaction when you look back knowing that you have had a positive effect on so many children, parents and grandparents and me.”