Adoption
Adoption solicitors
Deciding to adopt a child can be a rewarding experience. It provides an opportunity to those unable to have children of their own to raise a family, as well as offering a child the chance to grow up in a loving and nurturing environment.
However, the process is often lengthy and challenging. It involves a number of legal implications which can be hard to navigate without the advice of a legal expert who specialises in adoption law.
We have considerable experience in working with families who wish to adopt, and can advise you on the process from start to finish.
We can help with:
- adopting a stepchild
- adopting a child in care
- Adoption Orders
- handling your own child being placed for adoption by the local authority
Why use Rothera Bray for help with adopting a child?
We are members of the Law Society’s Children Law Accreditation Scheme (formerly Children Panel).
We can advise on a wide range of matters, from straightforward adoptions to the rights of birth parents.
We can advise on alternatives if they are more appropriate in your situation, such as Child Arrangements Orders, parental responsibility or a Special Guardianship Order.
We can help you if you are the birth parent and have parental responsibility of a child who is being adopted and you disagree with the adoption or an application for a Placement Order to enable the local authority to place your child for adoption.
We can advise you if you are a birth parent looking to challenge an Adoption Order.
We can communicate with you through whichever method you would prefer, whether that’s face to face, phone, email or video call.
We have a network of eight branch offices across Nottingham, Leicester and Derby, all of which offer family and child care services.
We can help you with:
- Adopting a child when you are a:
- Relative
- Stepparent or foster parent
- Carer
- Same Sex Couple
- Local authority adoption
- International adoption
- Post-adoption issues
- Placement Orders
- Special Guardianship Orders
- Child Arrangements
- Parental Responsibility
Send us a message

“Adopting a child can be complex. We can make it simple for you.”
Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner
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Posted 10 February 2026
Emma Adcock was absolutely superb during my divorce and subsequently during a prolonged and difficult house sale in which she endeavoured to get the right and just outcome for me. I would never use any other solicitor or solicitors firm for any legal challenges that may come along in the future. I cannot say enough great things about Emma or the firm Rothera Bray. Thank you so much.
Michael F
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Posted 29 January 2026
I've been a client of Rothera Bray for the last few years while negotiating a somewhat lengthy divorce process. It should have been fairly straightforward but there were issues with the other side... However my solicitor (Sarah) was extremely patient, supportive and professional throughout and we finally got the required outcome. I was extremely grateful for all Rothera Bray did in supporting me through the process and I would definitely recommend them to others.
Nina T
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Posted 20 January 2026
I can’t thank you enough for the support, patience and counsel you have offered over the last few difficult months! Not least of which the peace of mind you have provided throughout the period working with you all. Thank you so much!
Mr B, Nottingham
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Posted 19 January 2026
Grateful for the professional service from Rothera Bray in particular Jo Millward and Cindy Dodd during a difficult separation.
Max E
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Posted 16 January 2026
I changed my solicitors to Rothera Bray and was allocated Sarah Gill to act for me. Sarah was superb! She motivated me to fight on, advised me on the law, guided me through the legal process and gave me confidence in court. It was a very difficult fight but together we achieved a most satisfactory conclusion. While Sarah was very professional, I felt she was my friend. She kept me focused and determined to see my fight through to the end. Thank you, Sarah. You are great.
Heidi
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Posted 6 January 2026
Emma was very calm and professional, her advice was spot on especially when dealing with sensitive matters such as the children.
S.S
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Posted 17 December 2025
Simply the best! Gurpreet was kind considerate took time to listen and I couldn’t have had a better outcome nothing was to much for him always there to help. Extremely knowledgeable would high recommend this company very professional.
Maria
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Posted 11 December 2025
Thank you for all of your help, guidance and support over the past 15 months. It has been greatly appreciated.
JN
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Posted 9 December 2025
This has been one of the most horrible years of my life, and going through a divorce is not something I would wish on anyone. But if you do have to go through it, it makes a huge difference knowing that you have a supportive lawyer to work with and that was definitely my experience of working with Sarah Gill. What really stood out for me was how well Sarah listened and heard me...She was also excellent at explaining the key background areas of law I needed to understand as I went into mediation. More than anything, Sarah’s way of working felt like a genuine partnership. I know this might sound cheesy, but it truly felt like she had my back. That support meant I could make informed decisions about my future during an incredibly difficult time. I honestly cannot thank you enough, Sarah, for all your help. I would highly recommend reaching out to her if you are looking for a solicitor who is supportive, compassionate, and highly responsive.
Anonymous
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Posted 28 November 2025
I’m glad I had Emily guide me through all the way through what has been the hardest part of my life, been around 3 years and today I got the decision I never thought I’d get. Again props to Emily for guiding and road mapping what has been a difficult time. Sorting out court dates, prepping for court, offering support and advice. It couldn’t of been done without you Emily so we as a family will be forever grateful.
Leyton
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Posted 13 November 2025
Emily was really good and helped last minute but nothing was too much trouble . She did a fantastic job wouldn't hesitate if I needed a solicitor again. 5 star service.
Laura
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Posted 12 November 2025
I recently engaged Ewan Paton from Rothera Bray – he was approachable, professional, and genuinely understanding throughout a difficult time. He took the time to explain everything clearly, kept me updated at every stage, and always made me feel at ease. His calm and practical approach gave me great confidence, and I couldn’t have asked for better support. I’d highly recommend Ewan to anyone needing reliable and compassionate legal advice.
Mr Morrison

Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner, Chairwoman & Head of Care
Ann-Marie Bowman is Partner and Chairwoman of East Midlands-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors. Working from our Nottingham and Derby offices, Ann-Marie remains highly committed to her fee-earning work in Family law, dealing with all aspects of children law.

David Berridge
Partner
David has over 30 years’ experience practicing Family Law. He is one of the most experienced family solicitors in Leicestershire and deals with a wide variety of matters.

Sarah Gill
Partner
Sarah is an experienced matrimonial and family law solicitor, dealing with children matters including child care, financial issues following separation of married couples and divorce. She undertakes court work in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire. She is based at our Market Harborough office.

Charley Kelly
Associate Solicitor
Charley is an experienced Family Associate Solicitor who specialises in all areas of Family law. She acts for clients on a wide range of family issues including divorce, financial remedy and children matters. She is based at our Leicester office.

Emily Sherwood
Associate Solicitor
Emily Sherwood is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market Nottingham and Derby offices.

Gurpreet Singh
Associate
Gurpreet Singh is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Child Care department and is based at our Derby office.

Gabriella Kent
Solicitor
Gabriella Kent is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Nottingham Lace Market office.

Skyler Broadhead
Managing Paralegal
Skyler Broadhead is a Managing Paralegal in Rothera Bray Solicitors’ Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market and Derby offices.

Lucy Famakinwa
Paralegal
Lucy Famakinwa is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Child Care team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.

Hannah Lilley
Paralegal
Hannah Lilley is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Child Care team and is based at our Lace Market and Derby offices. Hannah specialises in care proceedings and private children law matters.