Family & Matrimonial

Michela Hughes is a partner in our Family & Matrimonial department and is extremely client focused with an approachable, warm manner and a tenacious attitude.  Her areas of practice include:

• divorce;
• financial claims arising from divorce;
• Children Act (with a particular focus on international and internal relocations, cases concerning coercion and control);
• separation agreements;
• co-habitation disputes; and
• pre- and post-nuptial agreements.

Michela has a strong reputation in her field with a significant part of her practice focused on financial claims arising from divorce. Her reported case of SS v NS [2014] EWHC 4183 is still ranked as one of the leading family law cases on the subject of spousal maintenance and demonstrates clearly Michela’s shrewd commercial approach. Michela has also recently been reported in G v N [2025] EWFC 286, in respect of securing 100 percent of the former home for a husband following significant periods of separation.

Michela’s interests outside the law include fine art, yoga and travelling.

Stala is a family lawyer with extensive experience in all areas of family law. Her career has included being the head of family law departments with two City of London law firms following her practising as a sole practitioner for over 15 years having set up her own law firm in 1996 dealing with family & matrimonial and civil litigation matters.

In addition to advising clients in relation to divorce, financial remedies on divorce and separation, Stala advises in respect of a range of children issues, to include acting for a parent or other family members. Her cases have included complex international payment structures and assets worldwide (including trusts), child matters including advising grandparents, cross border litigation and advising in respect of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

Stala’s clients cover a wide spectrum both in the UK and abroad, to include international clients, business owners, directors of large corporations, professionals and celebrities.

With a keen eye for detail, Stala has successfully acted in applying for and defending applications for urgent court orders, including worldwide freezing orders, injunctions, expediting Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute, Prohibited Steps Order applications to stop children from being removed from the jurisdiction and international and domestic relocation cases in relation to children.

Stala graduated with a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of London, completed the Law Society Finals course at the Guildford College of Law (now known as The University of Law), and was admitted as a solicitor in 1989. She is registered with the charity ‘Care for the Family,’ and her membership of professional bodies /organisations include: The Law Society of England & Wales; Resolution-First for family law; Lawyers Christian Fellowship; The Legal Sector Alliance on climate change.

Impartial advice is given to her clients specific to their needs and requirements in a friendly, sensitive, and professional manner. Stala works as a team with her clients to find the best solutions for them and their family and quickly becomes the ‘go to trusted advisor’. Stala is also fluent in the Greek language and a skilful negotiator and litigator.

As a member of Resolution -first for family law – (previously known as the Solicitors Family Law Association) and in accordance with their code, clients are encouraged to adopt a constructive and non-confrontational approach to keep the channels of communication open. This assists to identify and narrow the issues, progress negotiations and for matters to be resolved as amicably and as speedily as possible to avoid the costs and stress of a contested court hearing. This has resulted in most of Stala’s cases being resolved without the need for a final trial. Notwithstanding this, a tough approach is taken when required and Stala is determined and tough when the situation requires to defend her clients’ interests.

Stala is married with two adult sons. Outside of the office she enjoys spending time with her family, practising her culinary skills, going to the theatre and is a keen charity fundraiser which has included running the 5K in The Race for Life for Cancer Research UK.

Jessica was admitted in 2018 after completing her LPC and gaining her LLB Hons from City University London. Prior to this she gained a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology from Georgetown University, Washington DC. Following her degree in the US Jessica gained experience working for a non-profit organisation, The Green Builders Council of Washington DC as a Research & Development Director.

Prior to her training contract at a boutique West End firm, where she worked in both family and litigation post qualification, she worked as a contract’s administrator in the legal department of a substantial UK shipping company for almost two years.

Prior to joining WGS, Jessica gained her Masters of Law with Hons from UCL.

Jessica has developed a strong reputation in family law matters, understanding the financial and emotional needs of her clients when dealing with the breakdown of a marriage. She has experience in all areas including divorce, complex and high net worth matrimonial finances proceedings, drafting pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements and both private and public children law matters.

Jessica also has a broad range of experience in civil litigation including advising on corporate and contractual disputes, commercial contracts, contested probate matters, debt recovery and a wide variety of property litigation. She also advises on immigration and employment matters.

Jessica is a New Zealander who has lived throughout the United States and Europe for the past 20 years . She has an international background and acts for a wide variety of clients.

Danny is a highly regarded expert in the field of matrimonial and family law both in the UK and internationally. Danny has over 30 years’ experience in dealing with a wide range of issues relating to marriage or relationship breakdown including matrimonial finance, children’s residence and contact, cross-border divorce disputes, jurisdiction, child abduction and company commercial matters arising from marital and cohabitation disputes.

As a District Judge, recently he was awarded additional jurisdiction so that when sitting as a District Judge, Danny now also deals with private law cases involving the future care arrangements for children.

Work Highlights

• Danny has represented numerous clients in proceedings going as far as the Supreme Court and several of the cases that Danny has been involved in have been cited as precedents. Some cases have involved clients with very substanatial assets but some have involved clients of modest means.
• As well as dealing with financial issues Danny has advised many clients regarding the welfare and care arrangements for young children and has experience in child abduction cases, relocation internally and externally as well as issues concerning the future day to day care arrangements for young children.
• Danny has represented parties who have separated following the break-up of a civil partnership within same sex relationships.
• Danny has successfully represented a number of high profile individuals from the worlds of the arts, television, film as well as sports personalities and politicians.
• In his capacity as a Deputy District Judge Danny has also presided over and given Judgements in many cases covering issues both within family jurisdiction as well as civil matters generally.

Anabel is a Trainee Solicitor at SBP Law, currently working in the Dispute Resolution department.

Anabel worked at SBP Law as a paralegal in the Family & Matrimonial department for a year before taking up her training contract.

Prior to joining SBP Law, Anabel studied Law at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.  She is a native Spanish speaker and has experience dealing with Spanish lawyers on behalf of clients.

Rochelle is a paralegal in our Family & Matrimonial Law department and assists with a wide variety of matters including divorce, finances, children, cohabitation rights and international family law issues.

Rochelle has experience attending Court with Counsel and has been described as reassuring and supportive to clients during difficult circumstances.

Outside of work, Rochelle runs a successful pilates business in West London and enjoys spending time with her two children.