Charlie Hansell Senior Consultant Family Law Solicitor

Charlie is a highly qualified family law solicitor with over 30 years of professional and commercial PQE (post-qualification experience).

Charlie has a wealth of knowledge and experience to bring to her legal practice. She qualified in 1994 and has practised as a specialist family law solicitor in private practice for over 16 years in Hull, Bristol, and Ledbury, latterly with Setfords for over five years. Charlie has also been a Managing Director of two successful limited companies running a commercial seafood fishing, sailing, and diving business and a high-end seafood restaurant (number #1 on TripAdvisor for many years) in Cornwall for over 16 years.

As well as her legal qualifications (the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Law Society Finals Course (LSF)), Charlie holds a Degree (BA) and a Master's (MA) in Philosophy and Philosophy of Mind, a Master's (MSc) in Psychology, and a Level 5 Diploma in Counselling. Charlie now practises as a post-Divorce and separation Psychotherapist alongside her legal practice.

Areas of expertise

Charlie specialises in all aspects of private family law, including:

• Divorce and Civil Partnerships
• Financial issues arising from this
• Matters relating to children (including Child Arrangement Orders and disputes regarding what used to be called residence, contact, specific issue and prohibited steps orders)
• Separation Agreements
• Cohabitation Agreements
• The avoidance of disputes, potentially with either Pre or Post Nuptial Agreements
• Cohabitation disputes and TOLATA (Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996) claims
• Domestic abuse issues

Charlie aims to work with clients to resolve family disputes in a sensitive and family-based way. She is a member of Resolution and follows the Resolution code of practice. Therefore, you can be confident that you will receive advice that considers the needs of the whole family, in particular the needs of the children. Most of all, she does everything she can to help clients reach a fair and workable outcome as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. Charlie has extensive experience in all aspects of family law and can assist you in resolving issues either through the traditional solicitor negotiation route, mediation, arbitration, or through the court.

Charlie has particular expertise in Cohabitation Agreements. Her vital advice to cohabitees is:

"There is no such thing as a 'common law husband or wife' in English law. Simply living together does not give you the same rights as marriage or civil partnership. I can help you put a cohabitation agreement in place to protect your interests, setting out property ownership, financial arrangements, and what should happen if you separate. I can also advise on the increasing problem with pensions, where unmarried partners may not automatically be entitled to benefits unless clear nominations are made. Taking advice now can give you both clarity and peace of mind for the future."

Charlie also has particular expertise in the drafting of Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements. Protecting your financial interests doesn’t mean planning for failure; it means planning for peace of mind. Charlie assists clients in drafting clear, fair, and enforceable pre- and post-nuptial agreements that reflect their unique circumstances. Whether you’re preparing for marriage or updating financial arrangements after, she’ll ensure your rights and assets are fully protected, and that your agreement stands up to legal scrutiny.

Charlie offers a free initial 30-minute consultation for any new clients. This enables both parties to get to know each other and for Charlie to offer some basic, broad advice at the outset, identify the issues in your case, and advise on the likely costs. This consultation can take place by telephone or via Microsoft Teams. Contact Charlie to arrange an initial consultation.

In her spare time, you can find Charlie either learning Spanish, reading The Times, swimming, in the gym, or riding her bike, and each day, she loves to walk her two most vital work colleagues, her bouncy working cocker spaniels, Domino and Asher, on the Malvern Hills.

Testimonials:

"Thank you for your kindness, expertise and efficient approach in helping me through my divorce process. When my relationship broke down a couple of years ago it was extremely sad. I was always hopeful to mediate our separation but sadly over time that was not the case. Having always been a private person it wasn’t easy for me to suddenly have to find someone for guidance and support in something so personal. Then I had the predicament of who….so many solicitors to pick from! Well lucky for me, I chose well! I soon realised after that very first phone call and through this whole process I’d been fortunate to have come across you. I’ve loved your calm approach and kind understanding of my situation, your clear and knowledgeable advice which has always been so reassuring. I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done and hope within time my divorce is settled and I can fully move on. I will without doubt always recommend you"