Heather Souter

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Heather Souter

Partner Collaborative Lawyer

Salisbury

HJS@raydensolicitors.co.uk

Heather Souter is a family law partner specialising in divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships, financial consequences following a relationship breakdown, cohabitation and living together agreements and private children matters, including financial provision for children under Schedule 1.

Heather advises on all aspects of family law to include divorce, financial settlements arising after a separation (including interim finances pending an overall settlement), enforcement and variation claims, and complex private children matters, which often raise serious issues such as parental alienation, substance misuse and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Heather has a specific interest in farming and agricultural cases, having led her previous firm’s agricultural team. She has specific expertise as to how these cases are treated upon a divorce or dissolution. Her agricultural sector knowledge has been noted by the leading independent directory, The Legal 500, which also names Heather as a key lawyer in both Family Law and Agriculture and Estates in their 2027 Guide.

Heather’s clients are wide ranging and include sports personalities, business owners, members of the medical profession, accountants, farmers and landowners, and homemakers.

In addition, Heather is chair of Hampshire Resolution. Resolution is a national organisation committed to resolving family matters through constructive and non-confrontational means. Heather was formerly chairperson of Hampshire Young Resolution committee (YRes) ensuring that she has been at the forefront of developments in family law throughout her career.

Heather is familiar with and open to all non-court dispute resolution options, enabling her to help clients choose the most appropriate options to move matters forward. She is a trained collaborative lawyer and has assisted clients involved in mediation and arbitration.

Heather joined Rayden Solicitors in August 2026, having spent her career at a leading South coast firm.

Examples of her experience include:

advising in respect of financial settlements involving complex trust and company structures, significant pension provision (including Armed Forces pension provision), personal injury awards and foreign property;
assisting to advise and draft multi-million pound pre-nuptial agreements;
acting for an intervening adult son in a complex farming case between his parents;
acting for parents to resolve living and educational arrangements for their children to include obtaining a court order that her client’s son live with him having previously lived with his mother;
acting for fathers in contested court proceedings to obtain permission to move to different countries with their children; and
resolving cohabitation disputes and drafting deeds of separation following the same.

This experience has led to Heather being shortlisted for the Family Lawyer of the Year (Partner) in the prestigious Citywealth Future Leaders Awards in 2024, and as a recommended family lawyer for Hampshire by the independent Doyle’s Guide in 2025.

Heather is based in our Salisbury office.

Email Heather.

Heather’s hard work and dedication to her cases help achieve the best outcome for her clients.
Chambers and Partners

Heather is knowledgeable and meticulous in detail.
Chambers and Partners

Heather is really capable and commercially savvy. She understands business structures well and is really detailed.
Chambers and Partners

Heather is extremely hard-working, efficient and provides an analysis of cases so quickly that solutions are reached quickly.
Chambers and Partners

Heather Souter is a standout family lawyer specializing in financial work.
Legal 500

Very approachable, friendly, and knowledgeable. This puts clients at ease that they are in safe hands.
Legal 500

A standout partner. Comfortable with complex financial structures and legal issues. Their attention to detail is second to none.
Legal 500

I wanted to say THANK YOU for your fight for me and the highs and lows along the way. You always were the calm and reassuring voice even when I was stressed and cloudy-headed – you were my voice of reason and I always trusted your judgement. And rightly so given you led us to victory – thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Client of Heather

I cannot recommend Heather Souter highly enough. From my first meeting to the conclusion of my divorce, I have received an exceptional level of support, guidance, and professionalism from Heather. My divorce was an extremely complicated and at times, a challenging process.
Client of Heather

Both practically and emotionally, having Heather by my side throughout made an immeasurable difference from the outset, she took time to understand my circumstances, explain my options clearly and guided me through every stage of my Divorce with reassurance, patience, and sound advice.
Client of Heather

Heather was always professional, responsive, and very thorough, ensuring that I was kept fully informed at what was happening at every stage. She explained even the most complex matters concisely, giving me confidence to make informed decisions during what was often a very difficult and uncertain time.
Client of Heather

What particularly stood out was Heather’s negotiation skills, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for me. She handled every aspect of a highly complex divorce with remarkable expertise, determination, and professionalism. I always felt that my interests were being carefully considered and that I had someone knowledgeable, capable, and genuinely supportive fighting my corner. I felt that I was never alone in this difficult process and always knew I could rely 100% on her advice and guidance.
Client of Heather

Looking back, I genuinely do not believe I could have navigated these proceedings as successfully without her. Heather’s knowledge, dedication, communication, clarity, negotiation skills, legal expertise, unwavering support, hard work, patience, and compassionate approach were exceptional from beginning to end.
Client of Heather

I am incredibly grateful for everything Heather has done for me. She has been so much more than an exceptional lawyer; she has also been a trusted advisor, a remarkable professional and a constant source of knowledge and support throughout one of the most challenging periods of my life. Heather’s commitment and dedication to her clients is truly outstanding.
Client of Heather