Good RELATIONS
ANTONIA MEE AND PETER BURGESS FOUNDED BURGESS MEE, SPECIALISING IN FAMILY LAW INCLUDING CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS AND SAME- SEX MARRIAGE. THEY TALK TO PRIDE LIFE ABOUT THE SERVICES THEY CAN OFFER AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR GAY MARRIAGE.
When and why was Burgess Mee founded?
Antonia: Peter and I came up with the idea in June 2012, and the firm started trading in January 2013.
What experience in family law did you have before forming Burgess Mee?
Peter: I had trained and qualified as a specialist family lawyer at top-ranked firm Withers and had fantastic exposure to some really cuttingedge international cases. Antonia had trained at a small West End firm and then qualified as a family lawyer with city practice Kingsley Napley before joining Withers where we were “roomies” for a few years. We have a combined 20 years of experience at some of the best firms in London.
What distinguishes Burgess Mee from other law firms dealing in family law?
Antonia: Our position in South-West London enables us to have lower charging rates while offering top level expertise. It’s a unique combination that means we are able to offer a high quality service but at roughly two thirds of the price of our competitors in Central London. Our size gives us a degree of flexibility and the opportunity to innovate regarding our service model and pricing. We have also had a huge amount of experience dealing with international cases and there are lots of clients in London and the South East who have international issues but who aren’t able to afford Central London advice. That’s where we come in.
What particular services can you offer gay men and women?
Peter: We deal with all aspects of family law – so dissolution and financial agreements, living together, disputes over parenting issues, pre- nuptial (civil partnership) agreements and we also offer advice on surrogacy arrangements which is a real growth area for the firm.
The first same-sex marriages should be occurring early in the New Year in England and Wales. Would you advise people to enter a civil partnership now, or wait until then?
Antonia: To all intents and purposes, civil partnership equates to marriage, but under a different name, so it is really a question of personal choice as to whether to wait or not.
And what about Scotland, and Northern Ireland? When are same-sex marriages likely to become law there?
Peter: Things are progressing fast in Scotland, with the draft bill expected to become law in March 2014. However, the position in Northern Ireland is that there is no current intention to introduce a bill there.
Is there any advantage into entering into a prenuptial agreement before embarking on a civil partnership or getting married?
Peter: Definitely! Although they are not yet automatically binding, the law has moved a long way in the last 5 years, and an agreement which is entered into with a full understanding of its implications is likely to be upheld unless it would be unfair to do so. The wind is certainly blowing towards making them automatically binding but we are not there yet.
When civil partnerships/ marriages break down how can Burgess Mee help in the dissolution/ divorce?
Antonia: We can deal with all aspects of the divorce/dissolution, from the process itself, dividing the parties’ assets and dealing with maintenance (alimony) to sorting out arrangements for the children. It is a stressful time for clients and our aim is to make it as stress-free as possible.
In such a situation what consideration is given to any children in the relationship?
Peter: The children’s welfare will be the paramount concern of the parties, the Court and us as lawyers. But deciding what is in their best interests is often not as straightforward as you might think. That’s where we come in to try and help find practical solutions to everyday situations.
“We also offer advice on surrogacy arrangements which is a real growth
area for the firm”
On a personal note, what satisfaction do you get in helping your clients?
Peter: Huge! The best part of the job is hearing someone’s story and guiding them through a low period and helping them to deal with the practical issues arising from the end of the relationship.