Fairhurst Menuhin & Co Solicitors

Fairhurst Menuhin & Co Solicitors Fairhurst Menuhin & Co. (FM&C) - Based in Saffron Walden, Haverhill, Sudbury, Newmarket and Cambridge

FM&C provides the personalised attention of a traditional high street firm while utilising innovative systems and technologies to increase the quality of our service. Law firms in the UK have had to adjust to seismic changes in the legal profession in the wake of the economic downturn and the increased level of regulatory controls imposed on law firms. The competition arising out of the proliferat

ion of online ‘legal’ services has also made it necessary for the traditional high street practice to make deep-seated structural changes to its organisation. A vast number of high street law firms have not made these changes and are closing down at a rapid rate. The opportunity to adapt to this changed environment has enabled our firm to acquire a leading edge by using sound business practice to support our legal services. Our use of technology and best business practice allows us to be customer-focus driven and able to offer the client the best advice across a range of different practice areas. Our team brings together the strengths of both individuals with long-standing experience practising the law in this region, as well as individuals who have broad international expertise in business and the law. Our technical skills and local knowledge enable us to provide a professional service which combines an intimate knowledge of the local community and a personalised approach to providing legal services. We work with our clients one-to-one and make it our business to fully understand their individual needs and circumstances. This ensures our clients can avoid frustrating and costly delays due to a lack of clear and timely communication. While keeping a close eye on costs, we are aware of the potential pitfalls of a careless or shortcut approach to legal services. We consider prevention better than a costly cure down the line. Most importantly, we are committed to being citizens of our respective towns and hope to build sound and long-lasting relationships with the towns in which we live.

Sarah-Jane Money and Julie Bailey from our Sudbury office recently received a lovely thank you card (along with some bub...
07/09/2026

Sarah-Jane Money and Julie Bailey from our Sudbury office recently received a lovely thank you card (along with some bubbles!) from a grateful client, showcasing their professional work in completing another successful property conveyance!

Rivah Polden, heading up our successful Haverhill office, was recently thanked for her work on a conveyancing matter by ...
26/08/2026

Rivah Polden, heading up our successful Haverhill office, was recently thanked for her work on a conveyancing matter by an appreciative client, and received some chocolates for the team to share.

A recent visitor to our Haverhill office gave our locum solicitor John Fawcett a thank you for his advice and help in th...
19/08/2026

A recent visitor to our Haverhill office gave our locum solicitor John Fawcett a thank you for his advice and help in the best way possible... Chocolate form!

Jana Matejkova and the team were thrilled to receive a lovely thank you card and chocolates from a client. The chocolat...
18/06/2026

Jana Matejkova and the team were thrilled to receive a lovely thank you card and chocolates from a client. The chocolates were from a local artisan chocolatier in Saffron Walden and were really enjoyed by all!

Many people assume that once their divorce is finalised, all financial ties with their former spouse come to an end. How...
15/06/2026

Many people assume that once their divorce is finalised, all financial ties with their former spouse come to an end. However, this is not necessarily the case. Without a financial order approved by the court, either party may be able to bring financial claims against the other in the future, even years after the divorce has been completed.

This can become particularly important if one party's financial circumstances improve significantly after the divorce. For example, if you start a successful business, purchase valuable assets, or experience a substantial increase in income, your former spouse may still be able to make a financial claim against you if financial matters have not been formally resolved.

A Consent Order is one of the most effective ways to protect both parties. Where an agreement has been reached regarding finances, a Consent Order can be submitted to the court for approval. Once approved, it records the agreed terms and can include a clean break provision, which prevents either party from making future financial claims against the other.

It is also important to be aware of the potential "remarriage trap". If you remarry before concluding your financial claims arising from your previous marriage, you may lose the right to pursue certain financial claims against your former spouse. However, your former spouse may still retain the ability to bring claims against you.

There are several ways to reach a financial settlement following divorce, including direct negotiations, mediation, solicitor-led discussions, and other forms of dispute resolution. The most appropriate route will depend on your individual circumstances and the complexity of the issues involved.

Obtaining a financial order can provide certainty, security, and peace of mind for the future. If you would like to find out more about protecting your financial position following divorce, please get in touch with one of our experts, who will be happy to assist.

(Written by Tanya Norley)

Solicitor Jana Matejkova and other colleagues received this beautiful bunch of peonies and a lovely thank you card from ...
12/06/2026

Solicitor Jana Matejkova and other colleagues received this beautiful bunch of peonies and a lovely thank you card from a grateful client recently. The flowers really brightened up our office in Saffron Walden!

Parental responsibility is one of the most commonly misunderstood concepts in family law. Many people assume that having...
10/06/2026

Parental responsibility is one of the most commonly misunderstood concepts in family law. Many people assume that having parental responsibility gives a parent an automatic right to see a child or to have contact with them, however, this is not correct.

Read our article below written by our Family Solicitor Tanya Norley... 👇

The Legal Definition

Under section 3(1) of the Children Act 1989, parental responsibility means:
"all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his/her property."

In practice, parental responsibility gives a person the legal authority to make, or participate in making, important decisions about a child's upbringing and welfare.

What Parental Responsibility Does Not Mean

Parental responsibility does not create an automatic right to spend time with a child.

The law distinguishes between parental responsibility and arrangements for a child to spend time with, communicate with, or live with a parent. A parent may have parental responsibility yet have limited contact, supervised contact, indirect contact, or in some circumstances no direct contact at all.

Responsibility Rather Than Entitlement

The language of "parental rights" can sometimes obscure the true purpose of parental responsibility. While parental responsibility includes legal powers and authority, those powers exist so that adults can fulfil their responsibilities towards a child.

The concept is therefore better understood as a framework of responsibility and decision-making rather than a guarantee of contact or involvement.

Having parental responsibility means being legally recognised as someone who can make important decisions for a child. It does not mean that a child must live with that person, spend time with that person, or have contact with that person.

Parental Responsibility is not an automatic right to see a child, nor does it guarantee contact. Decisions about where a child lives and who a child spends time with are separate matters that are determined according to the child's welfare and best interests.

Cohabiting couples do not have the same legal rights as married couples or those in a civil partnership. There is no suc...
11/05/2026

Cohabiting couples do not have the same legal rights as married couples or those in a civil partnership. There is no such thing as “common law marriage,” despite the widespread misconception. Regardless of how long you have lived together, the law may treat you as legal strangers.

This remains the case even if you have children, although certain applications can be made for their benefit. These, however, are generally less generous than financial claims available on divorce.

Outcomes often depend on the specific circumstances, but the financially weaker party is frequently left in a more vulnerable position than if they had been married. There is no automatic right to make financial claims against a partner. Where property is involved, a claim may be possible under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA), particularly if you have contributed financially. If you are investing in a property, whether jointly owned or in your partner’s sole name, it is important to protect your position.

A Cohabitation Agreement can help provide clarity by setting out what should happen if you separate, including how expenses are shared.

At Fairhurst Menuhin, our experts can advise on cohabitation disputes and help you move forward with confidence. Please get in touch to discuss your options.

Author: Tanya Norley, Family Solicitor
Tel: 01638 561133
Email: [email protected]

Grandparents do not have an automatic right to see their grandchildren. Contact can be arranged informally with the pare...
05/05/2026

Grandparents do not have an automatic right to see their grandchildren. Contact can be arranged informally with the parents or, if necessary, through a court order

A family mediator should usually be the first step, helping families reach an agreement. If this is not possible, an application can be made for a Child Arrangements Order, which sets out where a child lives and who they spend time with. The court’s primary concern is the child’s welfare, guided by the welfare checklist.

In most cases, grandparents must obtain the court’s permission before applying for a Child Arrangements Order, unless an exemption applies - for example, where the child has lived with them for at least one year. When deciding whether to grant permission, the court will consider factors such as the nature of the application, the applicant’s connection with the child, and any potential impact on the child’s wellbeing.

Once an application is made, the court will involve those with parental responsibility and assess the existing relationship with the child before deciding on contact arrangements. Where contact has been limited, the court is more likely to introduce it gradually rather than order immediate, regular contact.

If you need help applying to see your grandchild, please get in touch with our experts. We can guide you through your options and provide reassurance at every stage.

Author: Tanya Norley, Family Solicitor
Tel: 01638 561133
Email: [email protected]

Address

Thorn House, 11a Hill Street
Saffron Walden
CB101EH

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+441799526849

Website

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