Mark Heppinstall
Partner | Leeds
"Mark Heppinstall was my solicitor during my divorce case. He was compassionate and understanding – he gave me practical and procedural advice, explained things simply and did not make me feel inadequate when asking questions. I might not have liked what he said sometimes, but he was definitely acting in my best interest. I would have no hesitation in recommending Freeths – especially Mark Heppinstall."
The Legal 500, 2023
Call: 0345 126 3472 Mobile: 0782 462 1130
About Mark
Mark Heppinstall is an astute and robust family lawyer who balances a keen eye for detail with a hands-on and practical approach. He is sensible and down-to-earth with a composed, calm manner both in and outside the Courtroom. Mark is based in Leeds and is a resolution accredited specialist with recognised expertise in complex financial remedies and private children matters.
Mark’s experience includes cases involving substantial income and capital both in the UK and internationally; across Europe, the US, Middle East and Australia. He has acted for clients in cases which involve complex financial, business and trust structures and he has drafted nuptial, cohabitation and separation agreements.
He has a particular interest in pensions on divorce and the treatment of businesses on divorce; often working closely with professional financial advisers, actuaries and forensic accountants to deliver holistic and balanced advice in respect of these issues.
Mark obtained a first class degree at the University of Bradford before converting to law and undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Law in Leeds. Mark completed his Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School where he obtained a distinction. He has specialised in Family Law for the majority of his legal career and now practices exclusively in this area; looking after Freeths family law clients in the North of England.
Mark is listed as a Leading Individual in Chambers & Partners (2023 edition) for Family law, and is listed as a Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 (2024 edition).
Contact Mark
Call: 0345 126 3472
Mobile: 0782 462 1130
Notable work, expertise & testimonials
Recent Work
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- Mark has successfully acted for clients in respect of divorce and financial remedy matters; representing individuals based across multiple jurisdictions in the UK, Europe and further afield. He also undertakes extensive work assisting parties to resolve children disputes in both litigated and non-litigated settings. He acts for separating parties who have entered into civil partnerships and has represented unmarried, cohabiting couples; usually in respect of disputes concerning jointly held property. He has often represented parties in contested court proceedings for non-molestation orders and injunctions where occupation of the family home has been disputed.
- Mark frequently advises clients following relationship breakdown where they are unable to reach agreement about a wide range of children issues to include their care and living arrangements, contact, schooling and in change of name disputes. In children cases, he has also advised clients in respect of internal and external relocation.
- "We wanted to pay tribute to you for the outstanding quality of everything you did. Solicitors are not invariably praised for being warm human beings who genuinely care for those they are representing. You are a glorious exception to any such stereotype. Thank you so much for what you have done and for the way you have done it."
(Client) - "The quality of your advice and support has been outstanding from day one. You have been direct and honest at every stage, and have always had the next moves planned out in advance. Your ability to draw together powerful documents… was hugely impressive."
(Client) - "Mark Heppinstall is an excellent solicitor. I have known him for many years and I find him very knowledgeable and thorough."
(The Legal 500, 2024) - “‘Mark Heppinstall is an extremely committed individual with a high level of client care and able to deal with the most complex of cases in an efficient and sensitive manner.”
- (The Legal 500, 2024)
- “Mark Heppinstall really stands out as someone who fights passionately for his clients. He is immaculately prepared and very hard working and really instils confidence in the client, as someone who cares about them as individuals.”
(The Legal 500, 2023) - “Mark Heppinstall continues to develop a very well-deserved reputation as one of the best matrimonial finance exponents in Leeds. Mark is exceptionally bright and brings to bear a highly impressive level of attention-to-detail in the conduct of his cases. Mark’s analytical skills and his conduct of negotiations always impress, invariably resulting in client satisfaction.”
(The Legal 500, 2023) - “Mark Heppinstall is a stand-out individual with an excellent technical grasp of the law.”
(The Legal 500, 2023) - “Freeths have a broad range of experience in family law and related areas. Mark’s clients benefit from his expertise and that of others in the firm, including the corporate team.”
(The Legal 500, 2023) - “From my experience of working with Mark Heppinstall, he is a solicitor that provides realistic and sensible advice. To his credit, he supports clients to participate in dispute resolution out of court, focusing on what is in their best interests.”
(The Legal 500, 2023) - “Mark is a fountain of knowledge.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2023) - “He is excellent all round and extremely easy to discuss matters with. He provides very sound advice and understands his field perfectly.”
(Chambers & Partners, 2023) - “Mark Heppinstall is the standout individual within the team and displays all the attributes you would wish to see in a family lawyer. Clients and opponents praise his technical knowledge and practical skills along with excellent client care skills.”
(The Legal 500, 2022)
Testimonials
"We wanted to pay tribute to you for the outstanding quality of everything you did. Solicitors are not invariably praised for being warm human bein...
Client testimonial
"The quality of your advice and support has been outstanding from day one. You have been direct and honest at every stage, and have always had the...
Client testimonial
"Mark Heppinstall really stands out as someone who fights passionately for his clients. He is immaculately prepared and very hard working and reall...
The Legal 500, 2023
"Mark Heppinstall continues to develop a very well-deserved reputation as one of the best matrimonial finance exponents in Leeds. Mark is exception...
The Legal 500, 2023
"Mark Heppinstall is a stand-out individual with an excellent technical grasp of the law."
The Legal 500, 2023
"Freeths have a broad range of experience in family law and related areas. Mark’s clients benefit from his expertise and that of others in the firm...
The Legal 500, 2023
"From my experience of working with Mark Heppinstall, he is a solicitor that provides realistic and sensible advice. To his credit, he supports cli...
The Legal 500, 2023
“Mark is a fountain of knowledge.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
“He is excellent all round and extremely easy to discuss matters with. He provides very sound advice and understands his field perfectly.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
"Mark Heppinstall is the standout individual within the team and displays all the attributes you would wish to see in a family lawyer. Clients and...
The Legal 500, 2022
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