Kerry Fretwell

Kerry Fretwell is a partner in our family law team, with more than 30 years’ experience in complex financial and children matters. Known for her calm authority and strategic judgement, she supports clients through some of the most significant decisions in their lives with confidence and care.

Kerry acts for clients across London, the South East and internationally, particularly in cases involving high-value assets, business interests and cross-border issues.

Specialisms

Kerry advises on the full spectrum of family law, with expertise in:

• Financial settlements involving property portfolios, international assets, business structures and share schemes.
• Divorce and separation for high net worth individuals, including senior professionals, directors and business owners.
• Cohabitation disputes involving contributions, property interests and financial arrangements between unmarried partners.
• Private children matters, including child arrangements and relocation, as well as financial provision for children of unmarried parents, including applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act.
• Domestic abuse matters, including cases involving coercive and controlling behaviour and economic abuse.
• Family law cases involving Court of Protection issues, including situations where capacity or vulnerability affects financial or family arrangements.
• Multi-jurisdictional issues, including international property and overseas income structures.
  Family mediation and out of court dispute resolution where clients prioritise privacy and control.

Approach

Kerry is known for her steady, reassuring style and her ability to bring clarity to moments of significant personal and financial stress. She provides straightforward, practical advice grounded in careful analysis, helping clients understand their options and make well-informed decisions.

Kerry focuses on solutions that work over the long term rather than short-term tactical advantage, and she approaches every matter with sensitivity to the pressures and emotions surrounding separation.

She also advises clients affected by coercive and controlling behaviour within relationships, including cases involving economic abuse and financial control.

As a qualified mediator, Kerry is firmly committed to out of court solutions wherever appropriate. She works closely with other mediators, financial professionals and other specialists to help clients reduce conflict and preserve relationships where possible.

Kerry’s measured, thoughtful approach aims to minimise uncertainty, protect long-term family dynamics and give clients confidence at every step of the process.

Experience

Beyond her casework, Kerry has been an active member of Resolution for many years. She has contributed to professional training, written for legal publications and delivered sessions for family judges.

Kerry was an early advocate for the introduction of no-fault divorce and attended the final hearing in the Court of Appeal in Owens v Owens, the landmark case that prompted renewed national debate and ultimately led to reform of divorce law in England and Wales.

Kerry qualified as a solicitor in 1993 after studying at Newcastle University and retraining in law. She began her career in the well-known London family team at Manches, handling high-value and high-profile matters. She later moved to the Thames Valley, joining Blandy & Blandy, before returning to Manches (now Penningtons Manches Cooper) as a partner. There, she established and led the Reading family law team, developing one of the region’s most respected practices, which was quickly recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for its family law work.