Catherine Lowther Head of Family
Family Law
Catherine Lowther is Head of Family and a Senior Managing Associate at Swinburne Maddison. She joined the firm as a Trainee Solicitor in 2014, qualified in 2016, and progressed to Associate in 2020 and Managing Associate in 2022. In 2025, she became Head of Family and received a further promotion to Senior Managing Associate in May 2026.
Catherine specialises in complex family law matters, including divorce, financial disputes and child arrangement issues, often acting for high-net-worth clients with diverse and complex asset portfolios. Her approach is client-focused, combining empathetic support with clear and honest advice during challenging times. She works closely with clients to achieve tailored outcomes, often collaborating with financial advisors and other professionals to deliver a holistic service.
Catherine is particularly experienced in high-value financial remedy proceedings, cross-jurisdictional disputes and bespoke agreements such as pre- and post-nuptial arrangements. She is passionate about supporting clients through significant life transitions, building trusted relationships to ensure they feel understood and supported throughout the process.
In 2024, Catherine achieved an additional qualification in Collaborative Law, reflecting her commitment to alternative dispute resolution. As a collaborative lawyer, she focuses on helping clients reach constructive, amicable solutions wherever possible, minimising conflict and prioritising long-term wellbeing.
- Divorce and Separation
- Children’s Matters
- International Relocation
- Pre-Nuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements
- Cohabitation Agreements
- Collaborative Family Law
With a decade of experience at Swinburne Maddison, Catherine has handled a broad spectrum of family law cases, earning a reputation for her innovative problem-solving and unwavering dedication.
Key highlights include:
- Achieved a positive outcome for a high-net-worth client by securing a final order that ringfenced £15 million in pre-marital wealth.
- Secured the UK residence of a child relocated from Australia under the Hague Convention, successfully navigating complex cross-border legal issues.
- Defended a claim to amend the maintenance terms of an international post-nuptial agreement, achieving a substantial reduction in payments and transitioning from lifetime maintenance to a fixed term.
- Leading the development of the firm’s Private Wealth Team, a multidisciplinary service providing seamless client care across family, corporate, and property matters.
Catherine’s ability to manage intricate cases with precision and compassion makes her a trusted advisor to clients with complex needs, including business owners, property investors, and individuals with significant pension and asset portfolios.
Professional Memberships:
- A member of Resolution and is committed to constructive, non-confrontational resolutions in family law.
Extracurricular Activities:
- An active member of Swinburne Maddison’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, supporting social mobility, youth development, and charitable initiatives within the region.
- Member of Swinburne Maddison’s Social Committee organising events throughout the year that bring the team together.
Catherine’s approachable yet results-driven style, coupled with her technical expertise and dedication to achieving fair outcomes, has made her a standout lawyer in the region. Whether dealing with sensitive family issues or navigating complex financial arrangements, Catherine ensures every client receives tailored, high-quality service they can trust.
In the 2026 edition of The Legal 500, Catherine was named a Leading Associate in Family Law, described as a ‘collaborative practitioner’ who has proven experience across the full suite of family mandates, with instructions from high-net-worth clients on financial remedy and pre-nuptial agreements being a common feature of her recent caseload.
"Catherine Lowther - I can't think of anyone better to represent us during our case. Catherine's care, attention to detail and understanding of the situation made us feel at ease throughout. Her kindness both professionally and personally is something we will never forget."
"Catherine Lowther is an excellent lawyer who works quickly and smartly to benefit not only her client, but has the whole family in mind."
"Catherine Lowther is an absolute pleasure to deal with. She is very experienced and competent and works very well with counter-part lawyers to try and achieve a mutually acceptable outcome for all involved. Would highly recommend Catherine."
Articles & Insights by Catherine Lowther
Insight
The Pension Gap on Divorce: Why Women Are Still Being Left Behind
As growing research continues to shine a light on financial inequality between men and women, one issue remains particularly stark yet frequently overlooked during divorce – the pension gap. Despite pensions often being one of the largest assets accumulated during a marriage, second only to property, they are routinely forgotten, misunderstood, or undervalued in financial […]
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Swinburne Maddison Announces Firmwide Promotions and New Senior Leadership Roles
One of the North East’s leading law firms, Swinburne Maddison LLP, has announced a series of firmwide promotions effective from 1 May 2026, recognising the continued growth of the firm and the outstanding contribution of its people across multiple teams.
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Menopause and Relationship Breakdown: An Overlooked Pressure Point for Couples
As awareness of menopause grows, its impact on women’s physical and emotional well-being is increasingly understood. What remains far less recognised is the strain menopause can place on relationships. For many couples, this life stage coincides with rising conflict, emotional distance and, in some cases, relationship breakdown. Menopause is a complex period of emotional, psychological […]
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Insight
Cohabitation Reform to bring a Measured Step Towards Greater Fairness
The Government’s June 2026 consultation, A Fairer End to Relationships, marks a significant and long-overdue shift in the direction of family law in England and Wales. For some time, lawyers have recognised the growing gap between the current legal framework and the reality of modern relationships. This consultation represents a considered attempt to address that […]
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Admissibility of Anonymous Witness Statements in Civil ASB Cases
Anti-social behaviour (“ASB”) cases remain one of the most challenging areas of civil proceedings. Noise nuisance, intimidation, harassment, vandalism, drug activity and threatening conduct can have a serious impact on local communities. However, many victims and residents are reluctant to come forward due to fear of retaliation. This raises an important question. What are anonymous […]
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Conveyancing FAQs: What to Expect When Buying or Selling a Property
Buying or selling a home is a significant milestone, and for most people, it’s not something they do often. It’s therefore completely natural to feel uncertain about the process and to have questions along the way. At Swinburne Maddison, we believe clients should feel informed and supported at every stage. Below, we’ve answered some of […]
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