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McAlister Family Law

5.0 | 22 Reviews 22 Reviews | Child Law
289 Total Company Reviews info icon Child Law | info icon 289 Total Company Reviews Child Law | info icon 289 Total Company Reviews

4 Castle Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4LZ

Accepting new clients

4 Castle Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4LZ

Regulated by:

The Solicitors Regulation Authority

Regulator ID: 639103

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McAlister Family Law |

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McAlister Family Law Review Scores & Client Satisfaction Overview

5.0
Excellent
95%+
Value for
Money
Value for money: 95%+
95%+
Success
Rate
Satisfied with outcome: 95%+
95%+
Would
Recommend
Would recommend to friends and family: 95%+
Communication 5.0/5
Initial Impressions 5.0/5
Approachability 5.0/5
Documentation Accuracy 5.0/5
Legal Knowledge 5.0/5
Value for money 5.0/5

Accreditations

McAlister Family Law are accredited by

Children Law accreditation awarded to McAlister Family Law

Description

McAlister Family Law is a specialist legal practice by Beyond Law Group. Clients choose McAlister Family Law for our expertise, legal excellence and innovative approach to family law. We can help you whether you are seeking to protect your assets, looking for your fair share or are wanting assistance with any other divorce or child-related dispute. Our focus is always on success and delivering the best possible results for you and your family. Fighting for fairness is what we do. Our partners are highly respected both by clients and fellow professionals and are top ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers, the top guides to the legal profession in the UK.

Rankings by area of expertise

The rankings below show the areas of expertise that McAlister Family Law offers to clients. You can see how good the service offered is in comparison to all other law firms nationally / locally.

McAlister Family Law Review Scores & Client Satisfaction Overview

4.9
Excellent
95%+
Value for
Money
Value for money: 95%+
13% above
national average
95%+
Success
Rate
Satisfied with outcome: 95%+
17% above
national average
95%+
Would
Recommend
Would recommend to friends and family: 95%+
18% above
national average
Communication 4.9/5
Initial Impressions 4.9/5
Approachability 4.9/5
Documentation Accuracy 4.9/5
Legal Knowledge 4.9/5
Value for money 4.8/5

Accreditations

McAlister Family Law are accredited by

Children Law accreditation awarded to McAlister Family Law

Description

McAlister Family Law is a specialist legal practice by Beyond Law Group. Clients choose McAlister Family Law for our expertise, legal excellence and innovative approach to family law. We can help you whether you are seeking to protect your assets, looking for your fair share or are wanting assistance with any other divorce or child-related dispute. Our focus is always on success and delivering the best possible results for you and your family. Fighting for fairness is what we do. Our partners are highly respected both by clients and fellow professionals and are top ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers, the top guides to the legal profession in the UK.

Rankings by area of expertise

The rankings below show the areas of expertise that McAlister Family Law offers to clients. You can see how good the service offered is in comparison to all other law firms nationally / locally.

Meet the team of McAlister Family Law

Meet the team of McAlister Family Law

Contact & Locations - McAlister Family Law

Opening hours

Monday 09:00–17:30
Tuesday 09:00–17:30
Wednesday 09:00–17:30
Thursday 09:00–17:30
Friday 09:00–17:30
Saturday (Closed)
Sunday (Closed)

4 Castle Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4LZ

Reviews

5.0 /5 22 Reviews
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Clients say

What clients say about McAlister Family Law

The firm is praised for its strong family law expertise, particularly in divorce, children matters, financial proceedings, child arrangements, non-molestation applications and Hague Convention cases. Clients valued its strategic, thorough approach and ability to achieve excellent outcomes in complex, emotionally charged disputes. The team is consistently described as compassionate, approachable, patient and reassuring, with clear explanations in plain English and prompt, reliable communication. Clients also appreciated their professionalism, determination, honesty and willingness to go above and beyond, helping people feel supported, heard and confident throughout the process.

Warm and friendly
Prompt email replies
Clear explanations
Compassionate support
Professional and knowledgeable
Strong communication
Reassuring guidance
Great attention
Excellent teamwork
Favourable outcomes

ReviewSolicitors Review List

Profile image of Paul R

Paul R

Verified
Child Law

My Solicitor for my Children's Case

Sereyvudd was a really good solicitor for me during a very difficult time in my life he was always there to give me advice in some very difficult situations I was dealing with I would highly recommend him as anyone's solicitor he's a true professional Thanks again

Solicitors tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

Thank you for your feedback, Paul. We are pleased to hear that Sereyvudd provided such valued support during what was clearly a challenging time. We really appreciate your recommendation and will be sure to pass your kind words on to him.

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Mr G

Family Law

Instant Action & Support! 100% Trust.

Nicola ‘Nikki’ got upto speed really quickly with my case and history, working along side Paul Reay her colleague, who i have worked with since 2019. Paul had a family holiday arranged and rather than leaving me waiting with the anxiety of not seeing my children, Nikki picked up my case. She called me first thing Monday Morning 9am and got to action instantly. Iv never known a solicitor so responsive, reassuring and instant action. She was reassuringly calm and said don’t worry we will get this sorted for you. She’s amazing. From a hostile mother and no contact as usual over the weekend, she managed to negotiate some contact with my children by Wednesday, navigating a very hostile parent, making lots of accusations and reasons not to allow contact. Along side this, she was gathering background, evidence, in constant contact and construction court documents to enforce an existing court order. She made herself available for contact, by email , phone and in person at anytime possible. She doesn’t speak in solicitor language, she speaks open, human, and in real world language also. She gives you her honest view on what she see’s going on and makes the relevant strategy for you and your children. McAlister Law, Paul Reay and now Nicola Bradley have always got me the correct result in the end over long and protracted , hostile and my case where iv had to deal with accusation after accusation. I put my 100% trust in these guys. Thank you!

Solicitors tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

Thank you for your heartfelt feedback. We are grateful for the confidence you have placed in Paul, Nicola and the wider team over the years. We truly appreciate your continued trust in McAlister Family Law.

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Charlotte

Outstanding

I cannot recommend Paul Reay highly enough. An exceptionally clever and knowledgeable family lawyer who knows the law inside out. But what really sets Paul apart is his compassion, honesty and humanity. Throughout an incredibly stressful, lengthy process, I always felt I was in safe hands. He’s always pragmatic, strategic and fiercely effective in court, while also genuinely caring about the children he represents. His advice has always been clear, realistic and trustworthy, and Paul has always balanced his professionalism with warmth and a brilliant sense of humour when it was needed most. If you need someone who is both passionate about achieving the right outcome and deeply supportive along the way, Paul’s outstanding. Have him in fighting for you and your child.

Solicitors tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

Thank you, Charlotte, for your feedback. We’re pleased to hear that Paul Reay provided exceptional support throughout a challenging and lengthy process. It’s great to know his knowledge, strategic approach, and effectiveness were matched by genuine compassion and care, helping you feel reassured and in safe hands throughout. Your kind recommendation is greatly appreciated.

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Julie Howsrth

Family Law

Grandchild Access

Ruth was very professional and provided compassionate and caring advice during my discussion with her in relation to perusing access to see my grandson. Additionally she has signposted us as a family to the most appropriate support for upcoming court appearance. I can’t thank Ruth enough and whilst I hope I won’t require any further services from her, she would be my first person to contact should I need too.

Solicitors tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

Dear Julie. Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re pleased to hear Ruth provided professional, compassionate advice and was able to support you and your family during a difficult time, including guiding you towards the appropriate next steps.

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James

Verified
Family Law

Chelsey is a real asset to this law firm

Chelsey recently represented me in a family court case relating to a child arrangement order. Being the father and requesting more time with my son, I naturally felt like there was going to be an uphill battle to achieve shared care. Throughout the process, Chelsey was reassuring, personable and professional. She was honest with me when I needed it, but always fought my corner and her guidance and support throughout was invaluable. With Chelsey’s support and relentlessness, I was able to achieve a shared care order for my son and seeing how passionately Chelsey represented me in the court room really showed the importance of having excellent legal representation in that moment. I can’t thank her enough for the way that she dealt with the situation and the result that we achieved.

Solicitors tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

Thank you for your feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Chelsey provided dedicated and supportive representation throughout your case, and that you achieved a positive outcome. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

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Other Reviews

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Becksy M

Becksy

This is an excellent firm if you are a respondent in a Hague Convention case! My solicitors were very attentive, kept me in the loop, and very strategic and professional. Although they were sure I would lose the case they put in so much hard work and took it through to the final hearing where we won! Thank you so much to Vicky Withers and Megan Hunt at McAlister, and my Barrister Jonathan Rustins at 4pb.

0
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ceren demir

ceren

I was represented by Ruth Hetherington and Nikki Bradley. I cannot recommend Ruth highly enough. Ruth is quite simply outstanding and deserves the highest recognition for her work. Over the course of 4.5 years of on and off court proceedings, Ruth has been my absolute rock and has consistently gone above and beyond in every possible way. Ruth's knowledge and experience are truly exceptional. She is honestly a master of her field. But what genuinely set her apart was how she made me feel throughout this incredibly difficult process. As a woman supporting another woman through family court, she gave me strength when I didn't think I had any left. There were days I wasn't sure I could even walk into the courtroom, and Ruth's unwavering support and encouragement gave me the courage to carry on when I thought I couldn't. Her legal advice was nothing short of outstanding. Always clearly explained, strategic, and perfectly tailored to our unique situation. She demonstrated incredible skill in navigating complex legal matters and always anticipated potential challenges before they arose. Ruth was consistently available whenever I needed to reach out, responding promptly with professionalism, wisdom, and genuine care. Her dedication to our case was evident in every interaction. Beyond her brilliant legal mind, Ruth is also warm, friendly, and genuinely supportive. She treated me with dignity and compassion at every step, making an unbearable situation feel manageable. Her ability to balance professionalism with authentic human kindness is a rare and precious quality. We have finally achieved the best possible outcome for our son, and I am beyond grateful to Ruth for everything she has done. I honestly could not have done this without her expertise, support, and unwavering commitment to our case. Ruth is an absolute credit to your firm and to the legal profession. I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone facing similar challenges. She is simply the best.

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Reviews

4.9 /5 289 Reviews
Filter your results
Star rating
Review Source

Rating

Review Source

Clients say

What clients say about McAlister Family Law

The firm is praised for its strong family law expertise, particularly in divorce, children matters, financial proceedings, child arrangements, non-molestation applications and Hague Convention cases. Clients valued its strategic, thorough approach and ability to achieve excellent outcomes in complex, emotionally charged disputes. The team is consistently described as compassionate, approachable, patient and reassuring, with clear explanations in plain English and prompt, reliable communication. Clients also appreciated their professionalism, determination, honesty and willingness to go above and beyond, helping people feel supported, heard and confident throughout the process.

Warm and friendly
Prompt email replies
Clear explanations
Compassionate support
Professional and knowledgeable
Strong communication
Reassuring guidance
Great attention
Excellent teamwork
Favourable outcomes

ReviewSolicitors Review List

Profile image of Claire

Claire

Family Law

Excellent Lawyers

Paul and Nikki have acted for me in both children and financial proceedings and are an excellent team. My divorce has been a long and complicated divorce and Nikki has been there from the start. She is warm and friendly replies pretty much immediately to emails and takes time to explain things in layman's terms. She goes above and beyond and has become a friend as well as a solicitor Paul got involved with the children and financial proceedings later - he quickly got to grips with the nuances of a complicated case and enabled me to feel like I had a voice in court. He has also achieved the best financial outcome possible for myself and my children, so we can move on from this very difficult time and have our own home again. Paul has a good sense of humour which can make the bleak moments a bit more bearable. I would recommend them both highly

Solicitors tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

Thank you for such thoughtful feedback, Claire. We are pleased to hear that Nikki and Paul provided you with consistent guidance and support throughout your proceedings. It is wonderful to know that their approach helped you feel heard and well supported during such a challenging period. We truly appreciate your recommendation.

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RCP

Verified

Great lawyer

It's been a pleasure working with Mak. He guided me through the financial resolution process with ease. Both his professional and interpersonal skills made a this time much less stressful than it otherwise would have been and our outcome was favourable. I'm grateful for all his hard work. Thank you Mak.

Solicitors tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

We really appreciate your thoughtful feedback. It is wonderful to know that Mak provided clear guidance and reassurance throughout what can be a challenging process. We are glad you felt supported and are grateful for your kind words.

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Natasha

Verified

A lifeline during Hague proceedings

I cannot recommend Vicky and Meg highly enough. Finding yourself facing Hague Convention proceedings is an incredibly frightening and overwhelming experience, particularly as a mother trying to protect your children while navigating a legal system and circumstances that feel completely unfamiliar. From the very beginning, Vicky and Meg treated me with compassion, patience and respect. They took the time to listen to everything I had been through and, importantly, they listened to my children’s circumstances and made sure their voices and best interests remained at the centre of the case. Throughout the proceedings, they were incredibly thorough, professional and determined. They explained complicated legal issues in a way I could understand, answered my endless questions, and gave me reassurance when I was struggling with the uncertainty of what lay ahead. I never felt like just another case. What meant the most to me was that they understood that behind the legal arguments was a mother and two children whose lives had been turned upside down. They fought incredibly hard for us and never lost sight of what was at stake. The emotional toll of Hague proceedings is enormous, and having solicitors who genuinely care, who listen without judgement and who make you feel that you are not facing it alone makes such a difference. I will always be incredibly grateful to Vicky and Meg for their support, dedication and professionalism during one of the most difficult periods of my life. They helped me navigate something I never imagined I would have to face, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them to any mother who suddenly finds herself facing Hague proceedings. Thank you both for everything you have done for me and my boys. ❤️

Legal experts tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

We are truly grateful for such thoughtful feedback. It means a great deal to know that Vicky and Meg provided the guidance, understanding and support you needed throughout such a challenging matter. We are pleased that their approach helped you feel informed and supported, and we greatly appreciate your trust in them and your recommendation.

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anonymous

Genuine care and support

I’ve had the opportunity to speak with Nikki on a number of occasions when I needed some advice and I’ve always found her to be empathetic, respectful and understanding. She genuinely takes the time to listen and I’ve never felt rushed or unable to express myself. She was also able to provide me with some helpful direction and guidance. It was really nice that Nikki remembered me when we spoke again. I feel confident in her ability to help and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for advice and support.

Solicitors tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

It’s lovely to hear that Nikki has been such a reassuring and supportive person to speak with. We’re pleased that you felt listened to, understood and comfortable sharing your thoughts, and that her guidance was helpful. We really appreciate your kind words and recommendation.

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anonymous

What a lovely, knowledgeable solicitor

I contacted McAlister Law about an abusive ex-partner. Francesca took ages to give me all my options, was sympathetic & honest about costs and I never felt I was being given the hard sell. I would instruct her in a heartbeat... HIGHLY recommended! Thank you so much, Francesca.

Solicitors tagged in
this review

from McAlister Family Law Limited

Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re so pleased Francesca took the time to explain your options clearly and provide honest, compassionate advice. Thank you for your recommendation.

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Other Reviews

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Pete Caines

Pete

Update, since writing the below review, they have now turned a corner. Much better communication and plan of action! I’ve upgrade to 3 stars and hopefully will improve this (fingers crossed) ////// original review: Unprofessional and incredibly poor communication!! After an initial conversation where Jason promised a straightforward process and said he would be in touch soon to get started, I was left completely in the dark. That was back in February. Despite sending multiple follow-up emails, I have received almost no response. If my case is not a priority, or if they are simply too busy, I would have appreciated honest, transparent communication instead of being ignored and strung along for months. Highly disappointing.

1
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Becksy M

Becksy

This is an excellent firm if you are a respondent in a Hague Convention case! My solicitors were very attentive, kept me in the loop, and very strategic and professional. Although they were sure I would lose the case they put in so much hard work and took it through to the final hearing where we won! Thank you so much to Vicky Withers and Megan Hunt at McAlister, and my Barrister Jonathan Rustins at 4pb.

0
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Ceren Demir

Ceren

I was represented by Ruth Hetherington and Nicola Bradley. Nikki has been assisting with our case for over four years, and she has been absolutely incredible throughout. Nikki is a true asset to this firm and deserves the highest praise and recognition for her exceptional work. Nikki's knowledge, professionalism, and dedication have been unwavering throughout our lengthy case. Over the years she has become more than just a solicitor. Nikki has become a trusted friend and confidante. Her ability to provide expert legal support while also offering genuine personal care is extraordinary and made all the difference during an extremely challenging period of my life. Nikki always made time for me, no matter how busy she was - whether it was to check in, have a proper conversation, or answer my questions with patience and clarity. She never made me feel like just another case number. Her genuine care, personal approach, and consistent availability were invaluable. She went above and beyond her duties time and time again, demonstrating a level of commitment that is truly remarkable. Her expertise and honest advice were outstanding. Nikki has an impressive grasp of complex legal matters and always provided clear, practical guidance that I could understand and trust. Her consistent support, professionalism, and kindness helped me get through some very difficult moments, and I genuinely don't know how I would have managed without her. Nikki is truly exceptional at what she does and is an absolute credit to this firm. She deserves every accolade and recognition for the outstanding service she provides. I cannot speak highly enough of her and would recommend her without hesitation to anyone who needs expert legal support delivered with genuine compassion and care.

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ceren demir

ceren

I was represented by Ruth Hetherington and Nikki Bradley. I cannot recommend Ruth highly enough. Ruth is quite simply outstanding and deserves the highest recognition for her work. Over the course of 4.5 years of on and off court proceedings, Ruth has been my absolute rock and has consistently gone above and beyond in every possible way. Ruth's knowledge and experience are truly exceptional. She is honestly a master of her field. But what genuinely set her apart was how she made me feel throughout this incredibly difficult process. As a woman supporting another woman through family court, she gave me strength when I didn't think I had any left. There were days I wasn't sure I could even walk into the courtroom, and Ruth's unwavering support and encouragement gave me the courage to carry on when I thought I couldn't. Her legal advice was nothing short of outstanding. Always clearly explained, strategic, and perfectly tailored to our unique situation. She demonstrated incredible skill in navigating complex legal matters and always anticipated potential challenges before they arose. Ruth was consistently available whenever I needed to reach out, responding promptly with professionalism, wisdom, and genuine care. Her dedication to our case was evident in every interaction. Beyond her brilliant legal mind, Ruth is also warm, friendly, and genuinely supportive. She treated me with dignity and compassion at every step, making an unbearable situation feel manageable. Her ability to balance professionalism with authentic human kindness is a rare and precious quality. We have finally achieved the best possible outcome for our son, and I am beyond grateful to Ruth for everything she has done. I honestly could not have done this without her expertise, support, and unwavering commitment to our case. Ruth is an absolute credit to your firm and to the legal profession. I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone facing similar challenges. She is simply the best.

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Christine

Christine

Excellent service and support from all the staff no matter what problems or issues you have they are there for you.

A representative from McAlister Family Law Limited responded to this review

Thank you

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