Brigitte Shakespeare

Based in Eastbourne, Brigitte offers friendly, comprehensive and affordable family law advice on all issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship.  Brigitte recognises that making the first call to a solicitor for advice is a daunting experience for many people, especially at an already stressful and emotional time in their lives, and she aims to make the initial contact as easy and comfortable as possible.  The initial appointment is offered free of charge, without any obligation, which enables the client and Brigitte to get to know each other and for initial advice to be given on the client’s options and the likely costs involved.

Brigitte strives to ensure that professional family law advice is accessible to as many people as possible by offering a variety of payment options.  These include:

·        Fixed fee one-off appointments;

·        Fixed fees for each identifiable stage of the proceedings, where the individual case allows;

·        Pay-as-you-go arrangements – for example, where a client wishes to represent themselves but may need advice on completing Court documents or on the correct procedure to be followed at particular stages in the proceedings; and

·        The traditional fee arrangement where a client pays at the hourly rate for all work carried out, receiving regular accounts and costs updates to ensure transparency of fees at all times.

The frequently-held belief that solicitors are stuffy and extortionately expensive is a myth which Brigitte is determined to dispel!  As a modern working mother of three energetic children, her feet are firmly on the ground and she is fully connected with the day-to-day challenges and juggling acts faced by many families these days.   She brings a refreshing, warm and modern approach to the office which is often appreciated by her clients.  One former client once remarked that Brigitte had managed to change his long-held negative view of solicitors concluding: “She has been a pleasure to work with right from the start, professional at all times but with a great sense of humour when needed.”

As a member of Resolution, Brigitte has a non-confrontational approach to resolving the issues faced by her clients and, wherever possible, seeks to establish a constructive working relationship with the other party, or their representative, from the start.  First and foremost Brigitte is mindful of doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the breakdown on any children of the family.  Brigitte’s approach ensures that her clients receive professional and appropriate advice, in complete confidence, at the time they need it the most. To find out more about what you can expect from a Resolution member family solicitor click here. 

Brigitte regularly advises on:

·        Divorce

·        Dissolution of Civil Partnership

·        Separation Agreements

·        Financial Settlements

·        All children issues including residence, contact, specific issues and removal from the jurisdiction

·        Pre-nuptial Agreements

·        Cohabitation Agreements

Brigitte holds a degree in Law.  Following graduation she gained a Distinction in the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at the College of Law and came in the top 1% in the country which led to her receiving the Law Society’s Award for Outstanding Performance on the LPC.

Outside of work, Brigitte enjoys playing and watching a number of sports.  Her children and husband ensure that she actively supports Brighton and Hove Albion and, on the participation side (again, egged on by two of her children), she has recently taken up golf!  So, as well as gentle dog walks on the Downs at weekends, she may also now occasionally be spotted wielding a golf club.