Phone: +44 1423 509 000
Director I Family
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Stephen Root is described as a “a top collaborative lawyer” in Chambers & Partners’ 2015 Guide to the top law firms where the Berwins’ Family Team and Stephen personally are both ranked in band one. Acknowledged by external sources as a leader in his field, Stephen is a robust, expert and compassionate family lawyer with a speciality in divorces where a family business is involved (particularly farming businesses) and divorces with an asset base of over £1 million. Stephen also handles children cases, pre and post nuptial agreements and all aspects of family work.
Stephen sits on the Management Committee of Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce. He formed and continues to lead the Harrogate Collaborative Family Law Group. He is also a member of the Brighter Future Collaborative Law Group and the Law Society Family Law Panel. In his leisure time he is a committee member of the Harrogate and District Naturalists Society.
Stephen has substantial experience in relation to farming businesses and, having gained experience in a breadth of legal areas he is able to bring a pragmatic approach to clients’ cases. He is also the company’s regulatory and compliance officer.
Stephen was one of the first members of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel and is a member of Resolution, a Solicitors’ association dedicated to seeking constructive solutions to matrimonial issues. He was also one of the first accredited collaborative lawyers in Harrogate and heads the local collaborative group. He has been designated by both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as a leader in his field. He gives training and presentations to groups such as CAB advisors and NYCC Social Workers on collaborative law. Stephen can often be heard commenting on family law issues on local radio station Stray FM.
Stephen qualified as a solicitor in 1985 joining Harrogate firm Myers & Co. He became a partner in that firm and later in Berwins after the merger of the two firms in 2002.
Outside the law Stephen is passionate about natural history being a committee member of Harrogate and District Natural History Society. He is also a keen and knowledgeable ornithologist and indulges his interest in bird watching whenever he can. Stephen’s less genteel pastime is watching football. He also plays badminton.
Stephen was sensible, reliable and kept me focused on the task in hand. He was excellent all round - a great solicitor.
Divorce and Financial Matters Client
"to have been lucky enough to have the support of yourself and your lovely staff to hand from the beginning of my journey through my divorce until now I can't thank you all enough. If I ever have the need or require any professional advice and support you can guarantee I would use Berwins again without hesitation"
Family Client
Stephen "attracts praise for his ‘good, sensible approach and sympathetic, caring manner’; his specialisms include financial matters involving trusts and farming assets and collaborative family law, which is an area the firm particularly excels in"
Legal 500 - Family (2017)
Stephen made me feel confident and relaxed about everything during a stressful time - I would highly recommend him to deal sympathetically but with professionalism on any family matter.
Divorce Client
Thank you for your support and professionalism throughout the process - your patience, knowledge and understanding got me to the end.
Divorce Client
Stephen Root receives warm praise from clients, who cite him as "an extremely empathetic, emotionally intelligent and creative lawyer who looks for imaginative solutions and outcomes for his clients." His work includes advising on complex financial claims, particularly those concerning trusts and farm assets.
Chambers (2017)
The Berwins Family team is a "well-regarded group engaged to advise on a wide range of family work, especially high-value divorce settlements. Regularly represents high net worth individuals and deals with a variety of assets, including family farms. Further noted for its collaborative work and knowledge of trust structures"
Chambers (2017)
Stephen has been excellent throughout this experience and I think he is an incredible family law solicitor and a true ambassador for the profession.
A family client
Stephen understood my situation very well, I felt he really supported me through the divorce. I would certainly recommend Berwins to a friend in a similar circumstance.
A divorce client
Stephen treated me with great empathy and gave clear advice. He was quick to respond and showed patience too. With regards to the whole process, I have always found my dealings with yourselves to be of the highest order. In difficult circumstances your approach has always been professional, open and honest, for which I convey my personal thanks and appreciation. Should the need arise for any future services or advice on similar matters, I would use your services again without hesitation.
A family client
Stephen prepared a pre-nuptial agreement for me well before the deadline at less than his initial fee estimate. I would describe his performance as excellent!
A family client
Stephen Root is known as “a top collaborative lawyer”. Once source praised his helpful and understanding guidance, and another admired his ability to “match the technical methods to the personal needs of the client
Chambers & Partners
Stephen explained well what the process was. I was pleased with his performance.
A divorce client
