Hannah Barlow holds a credential most family law solicitors never acquire: Resolution Accredited Specialist status in both private children law and domestic abuse. Now she’s bringing that expertise to Maguire Family Law’s Wilmslow practice, alongside newly qualified solicitor Sophie Hughes.
The double hire marks the firm’s second expansion in 2025.
Barlow arrives from a Legal 500 Tier One family law firm, where she handled cases involving international child relocation and abduction. Her appointment as associate solicitor addresses what managing director James Maguire described as “increasing demand” for the firm’s services across Cheshire and Manchester.
Hughes qualified in 2023. Her specialism lies in divorce finance and high-net-worth matters—work that aligns with Maguire’s client base in affluent Wilmslow and the surrounding area. She’ll advise on financial claims for children and complex asset division cases.
“We’re pleased to welcome Hannah and Sophie to the team to meet increasing demand for our family law services and further enhance our expertise across children matters and high-net-worth divorce,” Maguire said. “After adding to our Manchester team at the start of the year, Hannah and Sophie are welcome additions to our Wilmslow office as we continue to ensure clients can get the support they need on their doorstep.”
The Wilmslow office serves one of Cheshire’s wealthiest postcodes. That geography matters in family law, where high-net-worth divorces and international custody disputes require solicitors who understand complex financial structures and cross-border legal frameworks.
Barlow’s background in child abduction cases proves particularly relevant. These matters—often governed by the Hague Convention—require swift action and specialised knowledge. The Resolution accreditation signals advanced training beyond standard qualification.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining Maguire Family Law as the firm continues to grow,” Barlow noted. “In my new role, I look forward to supporting clients through a wide range of family law matters and helping to find practical solutions in complex cases.”
Hughes emphasised the client-focused approach that drew her to the practice. “Maguire Family Law has a great reputation for guiding clients through complex cases with sensitivity and expertise,” she said. “I’m pleased to be taking the next step in my career by joining a team which shares my passion for empowering clients to feel informed at every stage of the process and helping them to move forward with confidence.”
Maguire acknowledged the human dimension both solicitors bring to what he called “really difficult periods” in clients’ lives. “Hannah and Sophie bring a wealth of experience and are both passionate about helping clients through what can be really difficult periods in their lives,” he explained. “Their sensitive, yet pragmatic approaches make them a great fit for our team.”
Founded in 2010, Maguire Family Law operates from five locations: Manchester city centre, Altrincham, Wilmslow, Knutsford, and London. The firm carved its niche in international, high-net-worth, and child abduction cases—areas where stakes run high and legal complexity multiplies.
The Manchester expansion earlier this year preceded the Wilmslow appointments by several months. That sequencing suggests deliberate growth rather than reactive hiring, with the firm adding capacity in both its city centre and suburban Cheshire bases.
For Barlow, the move represents a step into a practice built around the specialist work she’s trained for. For Hughes, barely two years past qualification, it offers early-career exposure to complex cases alongside experienced practitioners.
Whether the demand Maguire referenced stems from increased divorce rates, growing awareness of specialist services, or simply the firm’s expanding reputation remains unclear. What’s evident is that the Wilmslow office now houses expertise spanning domestic abuse, international child law, and high-value financial settlements—the full spectrum of modern family law’s most challenging territory.
