Lauren Hall

Lauren is a Partner and Mediator in the Family Department and Head of International Children.

Lauren helps clients resolve issues concerning their relationships and/or their children.

Lauren was ranked as an Associate to Watch in Chambers UK (2023) described as “a very experienced children lawyer who is astute to what the issues are”. Peers say she is “ brilliant at child abduction work, hugely energetic and always pleasant to deal with” and that she “brings a great deal of humanity and warmth to her cases as a well as a great deal of knowledge in international abduction”. Lauren was named as a Key Lawyer in Legal 500 for 2022.

Specialist international child abduction lawyer

Lauren is a specialist in international child abduction. She acts for applicants and respondents in Hague Convention and international wardship cases. Lauren frequently receives instructions from the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit who only instruct a limited number of expert solicitors to act in High Court child abduction cases. Lauren acted in the successful Court of Appeal child abduction case Re B (Children) (Abduction: Consent: Oral Evidence) (Article 13(b)) [2022] EWCA Civ 1171.

Lauren successfully deals with leave to remove applications and has extensive experience of acting for both the parent wishing to relocate and the parent wishing to remain. Lauren acts for parents and grandparents in disputes relating to where children should live and when children should spend time with their parents and grandparents. Lauren is especially skilled in handling high conflict disputes.

Divorce and financial matters

Lauren conducts a wide range of divorce and financial matters ranging from complex, high net worth cases to those involving more modest assets. Lauren advises clients on pre and post nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements. Lauren regularly represents clients in cases involving expert evidence, property portfolios, family businesses, third party intervenors and properties abroad.

Lauren aims to achieve her clients objectives in the most cost-effective manner and is committed to resolving matters pragmatically. Lauren is a member of Resolution and always looks for alternative dispute resolutions wherever possible. Her clients appreciate her supportive manner and her ability to provide straightforward advice.

Specialist family mediator

In her role as a Mediator, Lauren understands how difficult it can be to work out finances and child arrangements when couples separate. She helps people work through their difficulties together so that they can move forward and agree things themselves. Lauren is sensitive to people’s particular circumstances and she proactively assists them both to focus on resolving their issues in a constructive way.

Lauren was highly commended Family Lawyer of the year 2022 at the Surrey Law Society Legal Awards. Lauren has accredited Resolution Specialist status gaining a professional qualification for her expert knowledge in child abduction and complex financial remedies. Lauren was a founding member of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association and was elected to sit on the executive committee. Lauren contributed to the Law Society’s Family Law Protocol on child abduction.

Lauren read law at the University of Leeds, qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and joined Osbornes in 2023.