Edward Cooke

Based at our Chichester office, Edward Cooke joined AL&H as a Partner and Head of the firm’s Family Law Department in 2010. Although he is based in Chichester, he is also happy to meet clients at our Petworth, Billingshurst and Storrington offices. Edward qualified as a solicitor in 2000, having commenced his legal training at Slaughter and May in London after graduating from Bristol University. He spent 10 years at another local firm before leaving to join AL&H.

Edward seeks to help clients find solutions in a constructive, practical manner. Edward is a Trained Mediator and Collaborative Lawyer and is a member of the Chichester and South Downs Collaborative Law Group (“Pod”). Whilst he believes firmly in the benefits of family mediation and collaborative law, he also assists clients with court representation where settlement using others methods is not possible. He is a committee member for the West Sussex branch of Resolution, the nationwide organisation of family lawyers committed to a constructive, conciliatory approach to resolving family law issues.

Edward is experienced in handling all areas of family law, including divorce, ancillary relief, children work and cases involving unmarried couples. He specialises, in particular, in complex financial cases and children work.

Edward is a Resolution Accredited Family Law Specialist (Advanced Financial Provision 1 and Private Law Children). He is also a Member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel. In addition, he has been actively involved for many years in the Chichester and District Law Society and is the Society’s Vice-President.

Edward grew up in Chichester and was Head Chorister at Chichester Cathedral as a boy. As such, he continues to enjoy all types of music (even moonlighting at one stage as a backing singer for Barry Manilow). He also enjoys walking, marathon running and spending time with his children.