Denise Head - Partner

Denise is a solicitor and Partner in the firm and is Head of the Family Law Department with more than 20 years' experience in this field.

Denise has for many years been a member of Resolution, an organisation of family law specialists and experts, which aims to reduce stress and acrimony at a very difficult time in clients' lives, and encourages resolution of issues in a sensitive and non-adversarial way.

Contact Denise via her secretary Marie Williams on 01473 295527 or email using contact form below:

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Denise assists clients with all aspects of matrimonial and family law, from divorce proceedings to contested disputes about children. She attends regularly at local courts having a good working relationship with other professionals and experts in the area. Much of her caseload involves advising clients and negotiating on their behalf in respect of family finances, including those of co-habiting couples and Civil Partners and also in assisting couples to agree arrangements before they marry or live together.

Denise has many years' experience in acting for parties in matters concerning children where the local authority and social services are involved and she has specialist accreditation from the SRA to deal with these matters.

Denise is specially trained as a Collaborative lawyer and is a member of the local Collaborative Family Lawyer’s group as well as other practice groups which promote the resolution of issues arising from difficult and stressful circustmances, in a client-focussed and conciliatory way.

Denise is also trained as a Family Mediator and is able to assist separating couples by helping them discuss and resolve problems and reach the resolution which is best for them and their family, in a cost-effective way and without having to resort to lengthy, difficult and costly court proceedings. She operates through Ipswich Mediation - sister firm to Bates Wells & Braithwaite, specialising in all family mediation matters.

Denise is a Trustee of PACT, a local organisation which helps provide a family contact centre where parents and children can rebuild relationships. PACT also runs a counselling service for children who are affected by the breakdown of parental relationships and which has helped many hundreds of children to benefit by being able to talk to an understanding adult in confidence.

Denise has been commended for her knowledgable, commonsense and straightforward approach to what is usually a very difficult and emotional time for her clients and she strives to reduce animosity by dealing with issues in a sympathetic and non-adversarial way, to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients and their families.

Denise was born in Sudbury and, after studying law in Nottingham, moved to Ipswich qualifying as a Solicitor with Bates Wells and Braithwaite in 1992. She is married with three children who take up most of her spare time!