Biographies

Katherine Rayden - Partner

Katherine was trained in a high street firm based in Hertfordshire and then qualified into “boutique” Mayfair firm Sears Tooth in 1995. In 1998 Katherine moved to Farrer & Co’s family team and was promoted to Associate Solicitor in 2003. In August 2005 Katherine set up the specialist family law firm Rayden Solicitors in Shenley, Hertfordshire. Since then she has represented clients from many counties in Southern England, central London and overseas.

Katherine has extensive experience in divorce, complex money disputes and matters concerning children. Although some of her cases have gone to trial (and indeed have been reported in the law reports on occasion) in recent years most cases have settled without the need to go to a final hearing. This has been possible because Katherine has been able to draw upon the many cases she has handled in order to achieve the most sensible and cost-effective solution for her clients.

Katherine is a member of both the Law Society’s Family Law Panel and the Advanced Family Law Panel demonstrating her practical experience and expertise in general aspects of family law and also in more complex areas, namely those cases involving emergency procedures and substantial assets.

Susie Barter - Partner

Susie trained with city firm Stephenson Harwood before moving to Manches Solicitors on qualification in 1997. She was made a Judicial Assistant in January 2000 and spent two years working in the Court of Appeal and Family Division of the High Court in London, gaining valuable insight into the litigation process.

Susie then spent two years in Farrer & Co’s family law team. Most recently Susie joined Christopher Butler (formerly a partner in Farrer & Co) at Speechly Bircham where she spent two years helping him to set up a dedicated family law team. Susie decided to move out of London to Kent following the birth of her first child.

Susie is committed to helping clients to reach practical solutions to the many issues that can arise on the breakdown of family relations. Susie has extensive experience of all aspects of divorce and co-habitation, disputes about money (including those involving complex asset structures, trusts and overseas assets), pre-marital agreements, disagreements over children and paternity issues.

Although an experienced litigator, Susie recognises that litigation is not necessarily the best route to dispute resolution. She believes that cooperative and structured negotiation is essential to achieving an early agreement tailored to meet the needs of a particular family. With this in mind, Susie trained as a family mediator in 2004 and she is pleased to be able to offer a mediation service to couples and families.

Susie has had numerous articles printed in the legal and other press and has been quoted in the leading broadsheets.

Nadia Biles Davies - Assistant Solicitor

Nadia trained at a multi-office high street firm in Essex and qualified into Pictons LLP, a large regional firm in Bedfordshire. She has practised family law exclusively since qualification in 2005.

Nadia has experience in all aspects of family work and takes a firm but practical approach in finding a solution to the many issues that arise on the breakdown of a relationship. She is happy to advise on relationship breakdown, separation, divorce and financial issues. Nadia also has solid experience in children disputes including disputes over residence, contact, religious upbringing and relocation abroad.

Nadia has also represented many clients at preliminary hearings in the local county courts.