Scotland Family Law Edinburgh Family Law

TEAM

Richard G Mill, Partner

Richard (Rick) qualified in 1995 and has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in all Courts and Tribunals across Scotland. He is a formidable negotiator which ensures that he obtains the best possible result for his clients. Rick has a wealth of experience representing his clients in courts and tribunals, and his experience in various judicial roles allows him to bring a different perspective to solving his clients’ legal problems.

His main areas of practice are in child law and adults with incapacity matters in respect of which a significant amount of work is referred from other solicitors who recognise him as one of the leading solicitors in these areas of Scottish Law.

Rick is appointed regularly to act in an independent role to assist the Court in child cases – as reporter and curator ad litem in residence and contact disputes, and as curator ad litem in adoption cases.

Rick has a direct and focused approach and the breadth of his experience enables him to analyse and problem solve more complicated cases in an efficient manner which is ultimately cost-effective for his clients.

Rick’s abilities have been recognised by his appointment to a number of part time judicial roles -

Convener – Additional Support Needs Tribunals for Scotland

Convener – Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland

Fee paid judge First-tier Tribunal – Asylum and Immigration Chamber

Fee paid judge First-tier Tribunal – Social Security and Child Support

Legal Member – First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber)

Other Appointments :

Child law accreditation panel – Law Society of Scotland

Peer reviewer Quality Assurance Scheme – Law Society of Scotland / Scottish Legal Aid Board

Lucy Millard, Partner

Lucy has practiced primarily in the field of child and family law since qualifying as a solicitor in 2011. She regularly represents clients in court in complicated and anxious situations, whether that be in respect of contact or residence arrangements for children, financial disputes, or cases involving social work/children's panel intervention. She adopts a pragmatic approach to resolve difficult situations as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Lucy is appointed regularly to act in an independent role to assist the Court in child cases, as Reporter and Curator ad litem in residence and contact disputes.

As well as regular referrals from other solicitors, Lucy is also often instructed to represent lawyers appointed as curators in contentious court proceedings.

Lucy has a particular interest in adoption and permanence order proceedings, and is often appointed in an independent capacity by the court as curator and reporting officer for these proceedings. She is a member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board's Children's Quality Assurance Committee, and was previously a member of the Family Court Users Group at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. As a result she is well placed to advise clients frankly about the factors to consider when contemplating litigation. Above all she will apply her experience and common sense attitude to provide advice designed to achieve the best outcome for her clients. Lucy is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Child Law.

Ellysa Ford, Trainee Solicitor

Ellysa joined the firm in November 2023 as a trainee. She undertook her undergraduate studies at Abertay University and went on to complete her diploma at the University of Edinburgh.

Ellysa enjoys appearing in court and has been appearing in court and children’s panels from an early stage in her traineeship.

Ellysa has a very approachable manner and aims to navigate clients through complex situations with empathy, re-assurance and support.