Mary-Joyce Insaidoo
Director & Principal Solicitor
Arthurs Solicitors
Specialist Family Lawyer
Based in East Kent, I am Resolution Accredited, Legal 500 Recommended and award-winning specialist family lawyer. With over a decade in dealing with all aspects of family law, I fully appreciate getting divorced or experiencing situations such as domestic abuse leading to relationship breakdown is extremely overwhelming and stressful.
I will always provide a professional, practical and committed service, seeing you through decision making while working out what is the best outcome for you and your family.
As a Resolution Accredited Specialist Family Lawyer I provide a constructive and cost-effective approach and I abide by the code of practice. An honest approach explaining your options available, offering a supportive and encouraging service always putting the interests of your children first.
Providing Advocacy and Negotiation
• Divorce
• Children matters
• Unmarried breakups
• Domestic abuse
• Legal Aid
Experience & Accreditations
• Member of Resolution
• Resolution Accredited Specialist Family lawyer
Elaine Flynn
Consultant Solicitor
Arthurs Solicitors
Specialist Family Lawyer
Elaine is a Consultant Family Law Solicitor specialising in Matrimonial and Private Children Law.
As a member of Resolution, she is known to adopt a non-confrontational approach, which is cost effective for her clients, often seeing matters brought to a speedy conclusion.
Elaine demonstrates a high level of skill when advising on financial considerations arising from a relationship breakdown, whether the parties are married or unmarried. The individuals Elaine represents are of usually of mid to high net worth often owning valuable assets including complex property portfolios and successful family businesses. Elaine is well versed in dealing with difficult opponents, and the attempted disposal of assets. She will adopt a pragmatic approach, making clients feel informed and confident.
In addition, Elaine regularly drafts cohabitation agreements, separation agreements, and pre and post nuptial agreements, helping clients to plan ahead, and avoid unnecessary litigation in the future.
Elaine also advises on all aspects of private children law including jurisdictional issues, such as: Specific issues including leave to remove from the jurisdiction, Contact and residence arrangements and Prohibited Steps Orders.
If you are seeking assistance because you have suffered emotional or physical abuse from a current or ex-partner, Elaine can advise and assist you on how best to deal with this. Adopting a compassionate yet firm approach, Elaine is experienced in applying for protective orders such as non-molestation and occupation orders.
In her spare time Elaine enjoys keeping fit and spending time with her young family.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY: "I would very much like to leave this review for Elaine Flynn, Elaine has worked on my cases involving Divorce/ financial and also family court . Elaine's work on my cases was without doubt a very supportive and experienced presence and i do not believe i could have won both my cases without Elaine. Elaine was there every step of the way offering advice that always proved valuable and kept me well informed in every part of the process . I cannot thank Elaine enough for all her hard work and helping me to get the best outcome in both cases ." - Mrs B
Sophie Sherlock
Consultant Solicitor
Arthurs Solicitors
Specialist Family Lawyer
Sophie Sherlock is a Family Lawyer and Consultant with over a decade of experience. Sophie has extensive knowledge and expertise in complex children's matters including child arrangements, relocation, specific issue orders and special guardianship, regularly representing parents, grandparents, and foster carers.
Sophie regularly provides advice with regards to divorce and matrimonial finances representing clients with mid to high net worth assets. Sophie will also provide advice with regards to pre and post nuptial agreements.
Sophie has extensive knowledge of unmarried separating couples and the complexity of addressing related property matters .
Sophie regularly deals with the local family court and will guide and support you through the court process. Where possible consideration will be given to alternative ways to resolve your dispute without court intervention.
Sophie likes to take a sympathetic but pragmatic approach when acting on behalf of her clients in order to obtain the best possible outcome for them.
Donna Payne
Consultant Solicitor
& Mediator
Donna is a Solicitor and Mediator dealing with all Family matters, including intergenerational disputes. She prepares Wills, trusts, and Powers of Attorney and provides Inheritance tax advice and advises the best way to protect your family or business both in life and after your death.
Donna deals with all Estates and Trusts (Contentious or not). She works, and is noted as an expert, in the protection of the vulnerable through her Court of Protection and Domestic Abuse work, which includes economic and emotional abuse.
As a Trustee and founder of a charity (to support Families in Crisis) herself, Donna is happy to assist with Charity formations and administration.
Donna takes a pragmatic and sensible approach when advising clients. She understands that any form of dispute and, indeed, any dealings with a lawyer can be daunting and deeply distressing. Donna’s aim is to be your trusted adviser:
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A voice of calm in times of chaos
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A voice of reason in times of strife
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A voice of comfort in times of distress
Donna may not always say what you may wish to hear, rather she will tell you what you need to hear. Donna and her colleague Janine Quirk see themselves as able team members working alongside their clients to ensure the best possible outcome for those clients.
Donna has been the recipient of a number of awards including:-
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Being noted as a Rising Star in the Legal 500 in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 https://www.legal500.com/firms/3037-sherrards-solicitors-llp/3951-london-england/
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Law Monthly Women in Law winner 2014 for services to family law
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Special Commendation for Pro bono Lawyer of year award
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Issued by Jordans Family Law Awards 2011
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Shortlisted for Law Society Excellence Award 2011
Donna is a bit long in the tooth and often refers to herself as “an old bag” but we prefer to think of her as a lawyer of considerable experience and expertise. Donna has been practising in the law for nearly 30 years, longer, as she puts it than she would have spent in prison for 2 murders.
Donna has authored a book: Libertas, a project for recovery after suffering Domestic Abuse, and hopes to stop stressing her editor and actually have the book published in 2022
Outside of Work
Donna enjoys all things food related and has had a lifelong obsession with Delicatessens. She loves Art and crafts, theatre, and the cinema. Donna lives with her partner, her daughter, Maude the Labrador, Joe the cat and not forgetting the 6 Chickens – who all have names and are complete divas.
Barbara Stokes
Legal Secretary
Barbara is our Legal Secretary and covers anything admin-based, general queries by telephone, secretarial work, diary management and not forgetting electronic bundles.
Barbara enjoys participating in food and drink and loves anything Disney!
Lianne's duties include assisting 4 fee earners with typing correspondence, Applications, Statements, Brief's to Counsel and Consent Orders. Taking initial enquiries over the telephone, speaking with clients/opponents and solicitors and the Court. Diary management and appointment making.
Lianne likes being outdoors enjoying the Kent coastline and all it offers as well as looking after family and being with friends.
Qualifications: ILEX Legal Secretary Certificate