Bethan is a Partner and head of the Family & Matrimonial team who advises on all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and separation, financial settlements, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation disputes and private law children matters.

Bethan has considerable experience in advising clients in cases involving complex financial disputes, including trusts, inherited wealth, complex pension arrangements and international cases. Bethan also has particular expertise in representing clients where there are complex disputes regarding the arrangements for children, to include those where there are allegations of abuse and parental alienation, and where one parent wishes to relocate with a child, both internally within the UK and overseas.

Bethan is a member of Resolution, the leading membership organisation for specialist family lawyers and is Chair of the Thames Valley Family Lawyers Society.

Bethan has been ranked for many years by both Chambers and Partners UK and the Legal 500 as a leading individual in her field. She has been described as “assertive and fearless” in Legal 500 and has been praised for her “steely determination to achieve the best result for her client” in Chambers & Partners.

Bethan acted on behalf of the Appellant father in the Court of Appeal in Re A (A Child) (Habitual Residence: 1996 Hague Child Protection Convention)[2023] EWCA Civ 659, successfully appealing a decision of the High Court concerning the jurisdiction of the courts in relation to a child wrongfully retained in Zambia.

The Court of Appeal remitted the case back to the High Court and Bethan was successful in obtaining an order returning the child to England and Wales from Zambia after a period of nearly two years. The case has been reported as J v E (Habitual Residence), [2024] EWHC 196 (Fam)

Following a case management hearing which was reported as J v E (No2)(Case Management) [2024] EWFC 107 the matter was listed for an important fact-finding hearing, in which it was established that the father, represented by Field Seymour Parkes, had been the victim of significant domestic abuse perpetrated by the child’s mother and that her allegations of sexual abuse by him of their child were not proven. The judgment was reported as J v E (Finding of Fact Hearing) (No3) [2024] EWHC 1881 (Fam).

"I couldn’t have been better supported or advised by Bethan and the FSP team. Communication was clear, prompt and always professional and I felt very well informed with decision making based upon Bethan’s guidance."
CR, Berkshire
"I have lots of experience with Bethan Thomas over the years also - she is a remarkable solicitor, extremely knowledgeable and professional."
AB, Oxfordshire
"Prompt, polite and professional service. Extremely grateful for the good advice and support provided, to reach an amicable resolution to matters."
RW, West Somerset
Bethan is listed as a Rising Star in the 2023 Legal 500 Legal Directory.
Legal 500 UK
"The team has gone from strength to strength since the appointment of Bethan Thomas. Bethan has a keen grasp on what a client needs and how the department can best service them."
Legal 500 UK
"Bethan Thomas is an outstanding partner in the team. She brings a calm confidence to even the most tense case. Thoroughly professional and with a human touch, Bethan is a go-to solicitor for children and finance work."
“Bethan is very good, knowledgeable and empathetic. I would certainly recommend her.”
"Bethan is a great lawyer with a good, calm manner."
"She is dedicated to her profession and a go-to lawyer for family law work in the area."
"Bethan is an excellent lawyer and clients rightly trust her implicitly."
"She fights for her clients but does so in a way which is pragmatic."
"Bethan's intellect is matched only by her charm."
"Bethan Thomas is insightful, knowledgeable and highly experienced, but also approachable and compassionate."