Apple Tree Family Law

Apple Tree Family Law is a family law solicitors firm based in Bristol and Exeter. The firm specialises in family law and advises about nothing else, operating as a small focused team of experts. The whole service is delivered by an exceptionally experienced divorce solicitor. First consultations are free of charge and put clients under no obligation.

John Pratley studied philosophy at Bristol University and completed law school at the University of the West of England. He trained with leading Bristol firm Veale Wasbrough and qualified in 1992, and has specialised in family law since 1992. He joined Bristol firm Foster and Partners in 1993 and became a partner four years later. He and his partners sold Foster and Partners to national firm Simpson Millar in 2014, after which he became national head of family law at Simpson Millar. He left Simpson Millar in 2018 to found Apple Tree Family Law, which opened its doors in Bristol and Exeter in October 2018. He is a trained Collaborative lawyer. He has advised farmers, business owners, and professionals such as doctors, accountants, lawyers, teachers and dentists, and has particular expertise in cases involving businesses, professional partnerships and complex pensions. Apple Tree Family Law Ltd is a limited company registered in England and Wales, and is authorised and regulated by the Bar Standards Board.

Divorce, financial settlements and child arrangement matters form the core of the work described by clients of this Bristol practice, with reviewers consistently noting that John Pratley guided them through every stage from the first enquiry to the conclusion of proceedings. Something that features in review after review is the clarity of the guidance provided, as customers describe being told which steps lay ahead and what the likely outlay would be, leaving them in no doubt about how matters would unfold.

Responsiveness is repeatedly praised, with prompt replies to queries by telephone and email, and patience shown towards clients who worried and made contact more often than strictly necessary. Consent orders presented to the courts following mediation are mentioned, as is an international divorce and advice on custody arrangements for a non-resident.

The manner in which the work is conducted is described as professional yet human, marked by careful attention to detail and courtesy, and the sums charged are considered fair for the service received. Straightforward cases are also noted, where the cost matched the scope of the matter. Clients point to a constructive approach suited to those wishing to maintain a workable relationship with a former partner, with correspondence that is timely, direct and reassuring.