Connie Atkinson

Connie is a Senior Associate in the family team and has experience of dealing with all aspects of private family work relating to both finances and children.

Connie’s areas of practice include all aspects of private family work with particular expertise in cases involving:

• International elements including;
  • International relocation (also known as leave to remove)
  • Cross border matrimonial disputes
  • Jurisdiction races
• Company and or trust assets
• Pre and post nuptial agreements
• Issues concerning the arrangements for children  - for example where children will live and with whom they will spend time, a relocation within England and Wales or financial provision for children
• International surrogacy

Connie regularly assists clients who need help with their separation and the practical and financial implications arising out of this.  Most of Connie’s clients or their partners work in the City and many have an international connection.  Connie therefore regularly works with solicitors in other jurisdictions.  Connie has expertise in international surrogacy cases and helps parents with the parental order applications required following their children’s birth.  On these cases, she works closely with members of our immigration team to resolve any issues in bringing the children home.

Connie is also a qualified mediator and assists as a mediator for clients in respect of all practical and legal issues surrounding family relationship breakdown. She is recognised as a Next Generation Lawyer in Legal 500 UK 2019 for Family: Mediation  and in Chambers UK 2020 as an Associate to Watch in Family/Matrimonial.

Connie was one of the legal advisers on the script of The Split, a BBC drama series that aired in April to May 2018.

Connie joined Kingsley Napley as a trainee in 2008 and qualified into the family department in 2010.  Prior to joining the firm, she worked at a South Devon law firm where she undertook both children and financial work.  Connie obtained a law degree from Exeter University before attending the Collage of Law in Guildford for her legal practice course.

“Thank you so much for all your support, patience and brains throughout, it was quite a rocky ride and you always managed to stay so calm”

What clients and directories say

“You have a special knack of  reassuring and calming which really helped me through the last 14 months or so. There aren't too many things that can be more stressful than the possibility of losing your child (other than knowing for certain).”

“Your calmness and professionalism stands in stark contrast to the chaotic irrational aggression of your opposite number.”

“Thank you for absolutely everything - for your legal advice, appearances at court, counsel and, yes, friendship throughout the process(es). We always felt that the advice and encouragement we got from you went well beyond a simple fee paying client.”

“As ever it has been a pleasure to work with you on this case - and it was as ever brilliantly prepared and evidenced to the highest standard.”

“Thank you for all the time, effort and support that you and Charlotte have given to help us over the last year. We both really appreciate everything you have done to help us achieve what we believe to be the best for our family”

“You two have truly been fantastic. I know I can always count on you all! You've been so great!”

“Connie's ability to execute was outstanding”

REcent CASES

• Y v Y (Financial Remedy: Marriage Contract) [2014] EWHC 2920 (Fam) - financial remedy proceedings in the High Court concerning the weight to be given to a foreign marriage contract
• Re: N 2016 UKSC 15 - intervening on behalf of The International Centre for Family Law Policy and Practice
• Re: R 2016/1437 - intervening on behalf of The International Centre for Family Law Policy and Practice 

​PUBLICATIONS

• Connie was one of the legal advisers on the script of The Split, a BBC drama series that aired in April to May 2018
• International surrogacy - the legal challenges for US nationals bringing a surrogate child to the UK, The American Magazine, April 2018
• Residency tested - A landmark case concerning habitual residence shows how the courts are adapting to social change - The Law Society Gazette, January 2014
• Child abduction: do children’s views count? - The Times, January 2014

Professional Societies and memberships

• Resolution (the association of family lawyers committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes)
• The Law Society – including the Family and the Junior Lawyers’ Divisions
• The Family Mediation Council

Further information

In her spare time, Connie enjoys cooking (and eating), netball and running.  Connie started the Kingsley Napley Netball team in 2010 which currently plays in Topcorner’s Southwark league.