Feeling comfortable discussing your plans for the future or a difficult situation is vital to getting the best advice. We want you to be able to be candid with us so that we can serve you in the most effective way, whether it is writing a will, preparing legal documentation to protect your assets, defending you against allegations made, or ending your relationship.
Our LGBT+ law services
LGBT+ law experts at Slater Heelis are highly regarded in their fields, and will do all that they can to guide you towards a positive outcome that suits your situation.
Email lgbt@slaterheelis.co.uk to reach out to our team of specialists.
- Family Matters
Whether you need advice in relation to a cohabitation agreement, a pre-nup, arrangements for children or help as a result of domestic abuse, our team are specialists in family law issues that affect the LGBT+ community and the specific challenges that these may present.
If you are looking to separate, the support from our team is second to none. From divorce and dissolution to financial settlements and child arrangements, we are committed to getting the best possible outcome for you and any dependents.
Some of the team are members of Resolution and adopt a constructive and conciliatory approach to resolving issues that arise at time of family breakdown or crisis. Should you be seeking alternative dispute resolution, some members of the team are also trained mediators and collaborative lawyers who will help you to resolve disputes without going to court.
Examples of how we have helped in the past
- Child arrangements – issues arising from separating modern families, including same-sex couples, adopted children, one parent coming out and being wrongly excluded by the other parent, DIY insemination, including the financial consequences of such.
- Divorce & Civil Partnership Dissolution – including mixed-sex couples divorcing where one party comes out.
- Domestic Abuse – emotional, physical, financial or sexual.
- Pre-nuptial and pre-partnership agreements – to consider asset and wealth protection
- Surrogacy, IVF, sperm & egg donor arrangements – helping service users navigate the minefield of legislation.
- Cohabitation agreements – this type of agreement provides couples who choose not to marry with the necessary legal protection should the relationship end.
- Crime
If you have been accused of committing a crime, you can trust in the confidence of your solicitor to prepare your case to achieve the best possible solution for you.
As solicitors, we are bound by a duty of confidentiality which means that we will never discuss your case with anyone without you expressing consent to do so.
Examples of how we have helped in the past
- Driving offences, including speeding, drink/drug driving and disqualifications
- Allegations of assault, domestic violence or coercive control
- Fraud investigations and perverting the course of justice
- Possession and/or distribution of indecent images
- Professional misconduct hearings including teachers, doctors, nurses, accountants etc.
- General business crime including VAT investigations & furlough fraud
- Hate Crime
Please note that if you have been accused of a hate crime where it is alleged that the motivation for committing the crime was hostility towards the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity as well as sex, race, religion or disability, the offence automatically becomes more serious and the courts have enhanced sentencing powers.
A hate crime can include verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, harassment, assault, bullying and damage to property. If you are accused of a hate crime, you should seek legal advice.
- Wills and Probate
At every milestone in our lives, we need to ensure that our assets are protected and left to the loved ones we want them to be, should anything happen to us.
This is particularly important for those who have been previously married, who have children from a previous relationship, and for those who have a new partner.
Thought and attention must be given to drafting a Will which distributes your Estate as you would wish.
Civil Partners have the same rights as married couples in terms of their Estates, however, it is important to note that cohabiting couples do not automatically benefit under the rules of intestacy on the death of their partner. As such, it is vital that a Will is put in place to make provision, if this is the intention, and to avoid potentially very expensive court proceedings where there is no will, or insufficient provision left for the other partner.
Examples of how we have helped in the past
- Advising on Lasting Powers of Attorney and Wills to provide for loved ones, whoever they are.
- Successfully challenging Wills (or the intestacy rules) where the law lets cohabiting couples of many years down.
- Employment
Disputes in the workplace can take many forms. While the majority of businesses employ equal opportunities and diversity policies, sadly, these do not always deter discrimination at work.
Whether you believe you have faced discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment, sex or sexual orientation at an application stage for a position, or in the course of your day to day work, our employment law specialists can help.
There are also parental rights that you may be entitled to if you are starting a family. Adoption leave rights are the same for same-and mixed-sex couples. One parent will be entitled to adoption leave, and if their partner lives with the adopter and the child, the partner may be entitled to parental leave – or equivalent for the gender. Alternatively, both intended parents can share parental leave.
If your employer is not clear on your rights for family matters, or if you believe you have been discriminated against, or face unfair dismissal, we are here to help.
Examples of how we have helped in the past
- Discrimination at work based on sexual orientation / gender identity
- Unfair redundancy procedure for HIV positive clients.
- Claims for constructive dismissal & tribunal representation
- Employers & Policies
If you are an employer and wish to receive advice and guidance on how to support LGBT+ employees in the workplace and their community, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Employment Department.
We can assist with creating and updating equality and diversity policies and advise on discrimination issues relating to LGBT+ employees/workers
How we support the LGBT+ community
— We are Corporate Partners of LGBT Foundation, and are taking part in the Pride in Practice Training Academy. This helps our staff to truly become LGBT+ allies, including asking LGBT+ inclusive questions and understanding discrimination,
— We work closely with Switchboard, a national LGBT+ support helpline also the LGBT Foundation to assist their service users access the support that they need.
Our history of supporting the LGBT+ community and initiatives dates back decades. We have taken part in Pride, and were the only law firm in Manchester to hold an information evening in the Manchester Village about the Civil Partnership Act before it was introduced in 2005.
Additional Services
As a full-service law firm, our full range of legal services is available to all. In addition to the above, from corporate law to personal injury, property, and more, we have got you covered. We take pride in being caring and supportive in LGBT+ law matters, just as much as anything else.
Either email lgbt@slaterheelis.co.uk to speak about an LGBT+ issue, or for other enquiries, you can fill in our contact form and one of the team will be in touch.