Claire Higham

Biography

Claire Higham is an Associate Partner in the Family team at Slater Heelis, having joined the firm upon qualification in 2017. With over 17 years of dedicated experience in family law, she has established a strong reputation working alongside some of the leading family law teams in the region.

Claire advises clients across all aspects of family law, with particular expertise in high-value financial proceedings, complex children matters and modern family issues.

Her wider practice includes advising on sensitive children disputes, divorce and separation, financial settlements, and cohabitation matters. Claire acts for a diverse range of clients, including professionals, business owners, high-net-worth individuals, and those with more modest assets. She is frequently recommended by former clients, peers, and professional contacts for her technical expertise, pragmatic advice, and empathetic approach.

She regularly supports individuals and couples navigating matters relating to fertility and family-building, including domestic and international surrogacy arrangements, adoption, donor conception, IVF, and wider assisted reproduction issues. Claire is passionate about helping families of all backgrounds secure legal certainty and achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their children.

In addition to managing her own caseload, Claire supports the firm’s partners and plays an important role in mentoring and supervising junior members of the team.

Claire is deeply committed to promoting inclusivity and accessibility within the legal profession. She is a recommended contact for the LGBT Divorce Forum and has extensive experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and families. She also serves as a Neurodiversity Champion, accredited by the National Autistic Society, advocating for greater awareness, understanding, and support for neurodivergent individuals.

Known for her calm, compassionate, and resolution-focused approach, Claire helps clients navigate challenging and often emotional circumstances with confidence and clarity. She is a strong advocate for Alternative Dispute Resolution wherever appropriate, helping families find constructive and cost-effective solutions outside of the court process.

Claire is actively involved in the legal community, serving on the committees of Trafford Law Society and Cheshire, North Wales and Shropshire Resolution. She also volunteers with the University of Chester Legal Advice Clinic, where she supervises law students providing pro bono legal support to the local community.

Passionate about achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients, Claire is recognised for her dedication, professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment to supporting families in all their forms.