Specialist Family Law firm Rayden Solicitors’ expertise has been recognised in leading industry guide The Legal 500 for 2026. The firm has retained its coveted Tier 1 ranking in Beds, Bucks, Herts and Middlesex legal industry guide
The most recent edition of The Legal 500’s UK legal sector research provides an industry standard, featuring an annual list of the best firms nationwide, based on recommendations from both fellow professionals and clients.
With offices in St Albans, Berkhamsted, Beaconsfield, Harpenden and Bishop’s Stortford, the Beds, Bucks, Herts and Middlesex offering is described as ‘a first-class outfit, offering stellar expertise in family law’.
Senior Partner and Founder of the firm Katherine Rayden retains her Hall of Fame ranking and is noted as ‘a leading expert in high-value and multi-jurisdictional family law matters, specialising in complex financial disputes, international children cases, and pre and post-nuptial agreements’.
Executive Partner Emily Watson, who heads the Berkhamsted office, is once again ranked as a Leading Partner who ‘specialises in complex private children law matters, including international relocation, cases involving serious allegations, and arbitration, and she also advises on high-value financial cases, prenuptial agreements, and TOLATA claims’. Her experience as a qualified Child Arbitrator is also recognised as she ‘often resolving disputes through alternative dispute resolution methods’.
Beaconsfield-based Partner Rupi Rai is also commended as a Next Generation Partner and is described by an industry peer as ‘an outstanding lawyer. She is assiduous in her preparation, has excellent tactical judgement and is extremely good with clients. Highly recommended’.
Partners Rosalind Fitzgerald, Lehna Gardiner and Che Meakins are recognised as key lawyers and receive glowing praise in the guide from client and industry referees.
‘Lehna Gardiner is a thorough professional who knows her subject and the law inside out. Very personable and attentive with outstanding service provided, which resulted in the desired outcome. Lehna provided substantial strength to the case.’
‘Rosalind Fitzgerald was the lead in my application, and I felt confident that she understood my particular difficulties and far from straightforward issues that would arise with my case.’
‘Che Meakins is an excellent solicitor who shows outstanding commitment and dedication to his clients. He is thorough, reliable, empathetic and personable.’
This is a significant achievement for the firm as it celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Senior Partner Katherine Rayden says ‘we are delighted that the team’s family law expertise and exceptional client care has been noted once again in The Legal 500 guide for 2026. Rayden Solicitors was founded 20 years ago in Hertfordshire and we are very proud to be ranked as one of the top firms in the area. Our Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire teams have worked very hard to maintain this ranking and we are very proud of them’.
