Helen Clyne helps couples and families navigate divorce, separation and issues involving children and finances. She works with a wide range of clients, but is particularly well‑known for advising on divorces involving significant assets, complex business interests and challenging child arrangements, often with international elements. With more than ten years’ experience, Helen prioritises reducing conflict, keeping costs under control and helping families reach solutions that genuinely work, especially when children are involved.
What was your career path to your current role?
After deciding at the tender age of 10 that I wanted to become a lawyer, I later started my career at a London law firm before joining Debenhams Ottaway Solicitors in 2014. Over the years, I realised how much I valued helping families find balanced, child-focused solutions, and that guided the direction of my work. I was promoted to senior associate in 2022, and as my experience grew, I became increasingly passionate about offering alternatives to court. That inspired me to train as a family mediator in 2024. Last year I launched our family mediation service, which has thrived thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations. Alongside my client work, I sit on the National Resolution Children Committee, helping to influence positive change in family law.
What keeps you motivated in your work?
Practising in family law in my view is not about winning cases. The rewards may not always be obvious to the outsider but for me it is a privilege to support someone who is going through a separation or divorce – known to be one of life’s most stressful and painful events – and to guide them through to a resolution that enables them to move on with their life. I believe the way an individual divorces, hopefully amicably, is just as important as what they come away with in terms of assets, particularly when children are involved. Moments of feedback stay with me, like when a client from 2011 recently reached out to say how much the advice I gave back then had shaped their lives. That reminder of long-term impact keeps me passionate about what I do.
What has been the best development in family law in the last 20 years?
For me, the best development has been the growing encouragement of alternative dispute resolution, especially mediation. These constructive approaches allow couples to communicate, compromise and stay in control of their decisions. I’m proud to be part of a firm that champions transparency, collaboration and realistic advice. We’re honest about costs, clear about likely outcomes, and focused on reaching fair solutions without unnecessary conflict. Going to court is always a last resort.
And the worst?
The most devastating development has been the dramatic reduction in legal aid for family matters. I started my career at a legal aid firm, and I saw how vital that support was for people who simply couldn’t afford help. Now, far too many individuals are left to navigate hugely emotional and life changing situations with little or no professional help. It’s a real access to justice issue, and one that weighs heavily on me. My colleagues and I volunteer at the Hertfordshire Law Clinic, where we offer free legal advice to those who need it most. It also provides valuable experience for law students. I strongly believe that everyone should have access to fair legal support, regardless of their financial circumstances.
What’s the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you regarding your career?
Trust your own judgment. Practising family law involves advising clients in grey areas. Family law is rarely black and white. This can make it hard to have confidence in determining how best to navigate different situations and issues. However, if you know the law and correct procedure, understand people and can think through the implications of different courses of action, you can trust your judgment with confidence. Of course, this comes more easily with experience! It also helps to recognise that every client’s story and situation is different, so it’s not a case of re-doing the same job. Each client needs to be heard, understood and thought needs to be given to how to approach their situation.
What’s the best piece of advice you’d like to give to someone just starting out?
It is normal for a newly qualified lawyer to heavily rely on their knowledge of the law and to focus on that when giving advice. Whilst that is necessary and important, an effective family lawyer is someone who goes beyond that. They take time to understand their client’s needs, concerns and priorities and tailors their advice to address them, whilst also helping their client navigate their divorce or separation in a constructive and dignified way that avoids unnecessary legal costs.
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