Phil Thorneycroft

Solicitor

Phil has been qualified as a solicitor since 1 October 1982 and his main areas of practice are divorce, financial provision and public law children matters.

Phil gained a Degree in Law from Hull University and passed his Law Society Finals in Chester in 1980. Phil completed his training contract in Sheffield where as part of his training he was seconded for 3 months to Sheffield Magistrates Court to assist the Legal advisers. This has given him invaluable insight into how the Court operates.

In respect of his divorce financial assets work which takes up around 50% of his caseload, Phil has helped over his career thousands of clients and his main expertise is dealing with high asset financial divorce cases, prenuptial agreements and cohabitee disputes. Phil is a member of Resolution His has particular expertise in cases which involve company assets, farming families, pensions and the Armed Forces. He also practices as a collaborative lawyer.

In respect of his children work which makes up the remaining 50% of his caseload, Phil primarily acts on behalf of children and children’s guardians in public law matters where he has considerable experience in difficult Care and adoption cases having represented hundreds of children before Magistrates, district Judges and Circuit and High Court Judges. Phil has been appointed to the Law Society’s Children panel as a specialist in acting for children in care proceedings.

Phil regularly appears on local radio and television dealing with such issues as pre-nuptial agreements, financial provision and the effect of pensions on divorce.

Phil is a member on the Local Family Justice Board and sits on the Plymouth Law Society Committee.

Phil has been recognised as a notable practitioner by Chambers Guide, described in Chambers 2019 as being “exceptionally good” and is well regarded in the Plymouth market for his expertise in family law.

Phil’s leisure interests include travelling, hockey, skiing, cricket music and football (although he supports Sheffield Wednesday!) He is a keen supporter of the Plymouth Basketball Team.