Mike Vale is widely regarded as one of the Midlands’ leading family law specialists. He spent a significant part of his career at Irwin Mitchell in Birmingham, where he was joint head of the Family Law Team and furthered his credentials as an expert in family law.
Mike advises on all aspects of family law, including financial disputes on separation and divorce, cohabitation disputes, Children Act cases, pre-nuptial agreements, living-together agreements and pensions on divorce. His calm, caring and compassionate character is complemented by deep technical expertise.
Throughout his career Mike has advised people from every walk of life, from business owners and professionals to professional footballers, politicians, authors and other high-profile individuals. He is frequently recommended by accountants, IFAs, members of the Bar and the Professional Footballers’ Association, and has been described in Legal 500 as “highly regarded” and “noted for his conciliatory approach”.
Mike is a highly experienced family law consultant, acting in complex and often sensitive matters involving relationship breakdown, children and financial arrangements.
He is known for his conciliatory, pragmatic style – focusing on clear advice, careful negotiation and constructive outcomes wherever possible. Mike regularly works with other professionals, including financial advisers and accountants, to help clients understand the long-term impact of their decisions and to protect their future financial security.
Financial disputes on separation and divorce, including high-value asset and business interests
Pensions on divorce and related financial planning issues
Cohabitation disputes and separation / living-together agreements
Children Act applications, including arrangements for where children live and how much time they spend with each parent
Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
Cases involving professional, high-profile and high net-worth individuals
Acted in H v C (Volume 2, The Family Law Reports 2009), a landmark case on child maintenance which confirmed that, where the Child Support Agency had made a maximum maintenance assessment, the court retained power to backdate maintenance by a significant period.
Represented a spouse in SK v WL (Volume 1, The Family Law Reports 2011), a leading case involving substantial matrimonial assets worth many millions of pounds, addressing complex financial issues on divorce.
Regularly instructed by professionals, business owners, accountants, IFAs, members of the Bar and professional footballers – often through repeat recommendations – to advise on sensitive family disputes requiring discretion and careful management.
Leading reported case on child maintenance
Acted in H v C (Volume 2, The Family Law Reports 2009), a landmark case on child maintenance which confirmed that, where the Child Support Agency had made a maximum maintenance assessment, the court retained power to backdate maintenance by a significant period.
High-value financial remedies case
Represented a spouse in SK v WL (Volume 1, The Family Law Reports 2011), a leading case involving substantial matrimonial assets worth many millions of pounds, addressing complex financial issues on divorce.
Adviser to professionals and high-profile clients
Regularly instructed by professionals, business owners, accountants, IFAs, members of the Bar and professional footballers – often through repeat recommendations – to advise on sensitive family disputes requiring discretion and careful management.