Ellie Straughan Solicitor
Family Law
Ellie Straughan qualified as a solicitor in January 2023 and has quickly made a name for herself with her strong commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for her clients. Specialising in divorce, financial matters and child arrangements, Ellie is known for her approachable and clear communication, ensuring her clients fully understand their legal options. She is particularly passionate about simplifying complex legal issues and collaborating with other professionals, such as independent financial advisors and accountants, to offer holistic solutions.
Her core values drive her practice, making her a standout lawyer for individuals seeking a trustworthy advocate during difficult times. Ellie is particularly keen to assist those considering separation or divorce, as well as individuals seeking to protect their assets through pre-nuptial agreements or resolve private child arrangements.
- Divorce and Separation
- Children’s Matters
- Pre-Nuptial Agreements
Ellie is passionate about resolving family disputes in a sensitive and efficient manner, always prioritising her clients’ well-being and striving for amicable solutions where possible. Her ability to navigate the emotional complexities of family law, combined with her legal expertise, has made her a trusted advisor to those seeking resolution in challenging family matters.
Her career highlights include successfully resolving high-stakes family law cases.
Key highlights include:
- Settling a complex financial matter where her client was awarded sole possession of the marital properties to enable their sale following an application made for Enforcement and Contempt due to non-engagement by the other party.
- Represented father in a contentious child arrangements matter, achieving a positive outcome where her client is now the primary caregiver for the child after previously being prevented by the other party from having contact with his child.
Professional Memberships:
- A member of Resolution and is committed to constructive, non-confrontational resolutions in family law.
Ellie was named as a Recommended Lawyer in the 2025 Legal 500, a prestigious recognition received within just two years of qualifying as a solicitor.
"Very helpful and had our best interests at heart throughout!!
Amazing service, sensitive but firm approach with plenty of follow ups to ensure the choices made were accurate. Reassuring throughout and worth every penny!!"
"Extremely diverse and very dynamic team. Superb networkers with local businesses and service providers ensuring relationships are maintained and developed."
"The support we received from the team was well beyond just professional advice. There was genuine care taken to make us feel as comfortable as possible over such a difficult few months. They gave us outstanding service throughout our case, advice was transparent and fair."
Articles & Insights by Ellie Straughan
Insight
Introducing a New Partner to Children Following Separation
Following a separation, it is often the case that one or both parents will eventually form new relationships. You may be reading this because you’re in a new relationship yourself and are wondering how and when to introduce your partner to your children. Alternatively, you may have found out that your former partner is in […]
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Stress-Free Summer Holidays for Separated Parents
With the summer holidays now underway, many parents are settling into a new routine as they juggle work commitments, annual leave, holidays, and childcare arrangements. For separated parents, however, this period can bring additional challenges, particularly when it comes to agreeing how children will spend time with each parent and managing any changes to usual […]
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Separating within the First Year of Marriage
The first year of marriage or a civil partnership is often described as the “honeymoon period”, a time filled with excitement, new beginnings, and shared hopes for the future. But for some couples, this year can also bring unexpected challenges as they adjust to life together. If things feel difficult or uncertain, you’re not alone. […]
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Insight
Could your pension increase your Inheritance Tax bill? How the 2027 legislation change affects you
For many years, pensions have played an important role in estate planning. Unlike many other assets, unused pension funds could generally be passed to beneficiaries outside the scope of Inheritance Tax, making pensions an attractive way of preserving wealth for the next generation. From 6th April 2027 this is set to change, most unused pension […]
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Swinburne Maddison Expands Private Client Team Following Major Investment
Swinburne Maddison, one of the North East’s leading full-service law firms, has significantly expanded its Private Client team increasing the firm’s capacity to take on complex private client instructions across the North East and beyond. Following major investment in people, expertise and resources, the firm has brought together its strongest Private Client team to date. […]
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Martyn Tennant named Corporate Lawyer of the Year following landmark year
Partner and Head of the Corporate team at Swinburne Maddison, Martyn Tennant, has been named Corporate Lawyer of the Year at the 2026 North East Dealmakers Awards, marking a significant milestone in the continued growth of the firm’s Corporate team. The award recognises Martyn Tennant’s leadership on some of the most technically demanding and strategically […]
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