Edward Cooke

Solicitor - Managing Director

SRA ID: 201272

Edward Cooke is a specialist family lawyer, an accredited mediator and a collaborative lawyer. Edward has a national reputation as a family lawyer, mediator and campaigner on family justice issues. In 2018, he won the prestigious John Cornwell award, a national award given by Resolution, the nationwide organisation of family law professionals for his outstanding work in supporting separating families. From 2017 to 2023, he served as a Director and National Committee member at Resolution, and from 2020 to 2023, he was Chair of Resolution's Training and Learning Committee - a key strategic committee in the organisation responsible for strategy and development of training for family law professionals across the country. During his time in office, he spearheaded the development of Resolution's Diploma Training programme, which was launched at the 2023 Resolution National Conference. Career history After obtaining a degree in History at Bristol University, Edward attained his Post Graduate Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London. Having started his legal career at leading London Magic Circle firm Slaughter and May, he decided instead to specialise in family law. After working for 18 years as a family lawyer in West Sussex and Hampshire, he founded Edward Cooke Family Law in 2018. Building on previous recognition, Edward Cooke was again ranked as a Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500, 2024 along with his fellow Directors, Michelle Lewis and Lauren Guy and Associate Solicitor Victoria Maxwell, and the firm was again ranked as a leading firm. The firm was also recognised in Chambers & Partners 2024, with Edward Cooke ranked in band 1 of Family Lawyers in the South as well as in the mediation (ADR) rankings. Areas of work Edward’s work as a family law solicitor encompasses all areas of family law, including divorce, financial issues, children work and cases involving unmarried couples and civil partners. Edward is also specially trained in our Consensus approach, helping couples approach separation in a collaborative way, using one lawyer. He has built a reputation as a leading specialist in the area. He not only has wide experience in dealing with the full range of family cases, but also regularly handles complex court cases involving substantial assets, trusts, farms and family businesses. He writes articles for leading legal publications, including “Family Law” and Resolution’s “Review” magazine, and has been involved in a number of reported cases. Edward believes firmly in the benefits of non-court resolution. He is an experienced and accredited family law mediator and collaborative lawyer and is also qualified to meet with children in the mediation process. Regardless of whether he represents clients in court, through the collaborative process or in mediation, he always seeks to find solutions which are constructive, child-focused and fair. Professional background Edward was a founder member of the West Sussex branch of Resolution and has sat on its regional committee since it was established in 2002. Edward was a Director and National Committee member at Resolution for 6 years, from 2017 to 2023. Edward is a member of the Law Society Family Law panel. Edward is a former President of the Chichester and District Law Society. Edward is a member of the Three Counties Family Law Group and the Chichester and South Downs Collaborative Pod, groups of collaborative family law professionals. Awards In March 2018, Edward was awarded a Chichester City Council Civic Award for services to the city of Chichester and, specifically, for his ‘outstanding contribution’ to the city in leading a campaign to keep court provision in Chichester. As a result of this campaign, the government suspended the closure of the Chichester Combined Court until alternative court provision was opened in the city at East Pallant House in January 2019, sitting on a number of days each month. East Pallant House subsequently became the country's first "Nightingale court" in July 2020, sitting full time during the Covid-19 pandemic. In April 2018, Edward was presented with the John Cornwell Award by Resolution, the family justice organisation. Named after Resolution’s founder, the John Cornwell Award recognises a Resolution member who has gone above and beyond in his or her commitment to Resolution’s Code of Practice, to resolve issues in a non-confrontational manner and keep the interests of any children at heart. In November 2023, Edward was named Family Law Partner of the Year at the LexisNexis Family Law Awards 2023. In January 2024, Edward was highly commended as Family Mediator of the Year 2024 at the British Family Law Awards. The firm was named Boutique Family Law Firm of the Year 2024. Edward and the firm have been shortlisted for several national awards, including: Best Place to Work - The British Family Law Awards (2024) Resolution’s Children’s Champion Award (2023) Child Inclusive Mediator of the Year Award - National Mediation Awards (2022) Family Law Partner - Family Law Awards (2022) Family Law Firm of the Year - Family Law Awards (2022)