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Sue Hodgson

Partner - Head of Family Law Team - Resolution Accredited Specialist


Sue's Teams

Family


Profile/Experience

Sue joined the team at Lanyon Bowdler in 2007 and has over 23 years’ experience of dealing exclusively with complex family matters.

She is an accredited specialist with Resolution and has a vast amount of experience in private children law proceedings and has particular expertise in dealing with private law children disputes; representing parents and grandparents in relation to children issues, for example child arrangement orders, special guardianship orders and child relocation. Within her private law practice, Sue has often successfully argued the recommendations contained within a section 7 report should not be followed by the court where these are not accepted by her client. She has also successfully challenged the recommendations of an expert psychologist and persuaded the court not to accept the same.

Sue has acted in cases involving multi-day fact finding hearings involving a number of serious allegations to include: physical violence, sexual abuse (to include the most serious forms), child sexual abuse, coercive and controlling behaviour, psychological abuse, financial abuse and parental alienation. Sue has acted in cases involving multi-day final contested hearings involving such issues as change of residence and relocation. 

Sue has cases being heard from magistrates right up to High Court Judge level.

Sue is regularly instructed to assist armed forces veterans and clients who face difficulties as a result of mental health conditions.

Sue has a strong personal following and now finds herself regularly acting for second generation clients. She is renowned for her constructive and ‘no-nonsense’ approach to family cases and will always look for a practical solution. The vast majority of clients come to Sue on the recommendation of their friends, family and contacts.

Sue enjoys spending time with her family and friends, eating out, walking her dog and horse riding, she also enjoys international travel.

Podcast

Do you have a hard time with your solicitor? Here you can listen why it's feasible to change your solicitor and how close to a hearing date you should switch your solicitor, is it ever too late? 

Legal 500 & Chambers UK Recommendations

Sue is recognised in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 as a Leading Individual, here are some client testimonials:

‘I have worked with Sue Hodgson for many years. She is an approachable person with a brilliant knowledge of the law along with the ability to give advice that is child centred. She would be my go to person in the area of family law and the first person in this field that I would recommend to others’.

‘Sue Hodgson- a stand out children solicitor who has skill, legal knowledge and an ability to grasp each case and move it forward seemingly effortlessly. Clients love and trust her and know that if she can she will achieve the outcome they want. Hugely respected by other solicitors, barristers and Judges’.

'Sue is extremely tenacious and strives for her team to excel in the legal service they provide. Nothing is too much for them to undertake, and accommodate. The clients are always put first’.

The 2023 edition of Chambers UK ranks Sue in Band 1 and states, Sue Hodgson maintains a strong reputation for her work in Children Act cases and child arrangement orders. She also advises on complex financial remedy cases. The 2023 edition of Chambers UK states
'Sue is absolutely excellent - she can handle complex and distressing situations and I would recommended her to others.'

Previous testimonials state 'Sue Hodgson is amongst the best in her field - she is extremely knowledgeable, very well organised and thinks ahead about everything you and the court will need. Her advice is forthright and compassionate at the same time.' 'Sue is brilliant - she's always there when I need to speak to her and proactive in updating me on developments in my case.'

Client Testimonials

"The service of care we received was second to none from start to finish" - D M and S E Betton

"Very easy to talk to and good advice given" – M Reynolds

"Professional service – Sue was extremely approachable and helpful" – K Morgan

"Professional and friendly throughout, excellent service, Sue is very honest and genuine" –
D Evans

"I was always spoken to in a way that meant I could fully understand how my divorce was going to proceed. I was nervous about the whole procedure but felt confident that I had nothing to worry about" – S Bedigan

Notable Cases

Sue has secured orders changing the residence of children from one parent to the other within children act proceedings, orders to enable children to be placed within private schooling arrangements, permission to relocate with children out of the jurisdiction and Special Guardianship Orders within court proceedings where at the outset of those proceedings, the Local Authority were against the placement.

Client Testimonials

Second to none - Sue Hodgson is absolutely first class. She is always available and ready to give her sound and sensible advice. I rely on her completely and I cannot recommend her highly enough. She has a wealth of experience that is second to none. Thank you Sue.

- AEBH, Via Review Solicitors