Biography
Representing people in Birmingham, London and up and down the country, I’ve successfully litigated the most complex family law cases. The cases I work on involve divorce, money or children.
I’ve helped families with very complicated family law issues in the UK and internationally. I have an established practice representing people across a wide range of financial claims on divorce, including large and small business owners and entrepreneurs. This also includes a niche area advising in the context of third party intervenor claims.
I am one of only a small handful of lawyers based outside of London that has a true expertise in dealing with complicated tax structures, overseas trusts and assets. I have delivered training to other family lawyers on these issues. My practice spans across various foreign jurisdictions, representing professional trustees and spouses with international connections.
I’ve represented many parents in disputes about their children, including child abductions and relocation locally and abroad. Reunite, the leading UK charity specialising in the movement of children across international borders, lists me as one of five specialist lawyers in the West Midlands that deals with these issues.
I am regarded as a complete expert in all cases involving alienating children, fact find hearings and giving advice to parents and grandparents.
As well as handling complex cases, I became a registered lawyer with the Football Association. I’ve also contributed to the book ‘Retired: What Footballers Do When The Game’s Up’. My expertise is often in demand from professional football players, who value my ability to combine legal advice with an in depth knowledge of the industry.
Over the years I’ve built up a niche practice advising families from Asian communities and the issues that commonly arise. This often includes representing third party family members who may have an interest in matrimonial assets or defending these claims and resolving issues involving jewellery, self employed businesses and marriages with allegations of abuse. I’m one of only a handful of specialists in this area and regularly write and lecture on the topic.
I am independently recognised as leading family lawyer. Most of my cases come from recommendations. I place a high value on client care, which is shown in the volume of 5* Trust Pilot reviews that I have received. I have also won multiple awards (IAFL European Lawyer Award 2016, Law Society Solicitor of the Year 2015, Jordan’s Family Law Team of the Year 2017, and Birmingham Law Society – Family Law Team Excellence in Client Service 2019).
Outside the office I’m a proud father of two children. I enjoy playing football and I played to a semi-professional level for over a decade. When I’m not engaged in my love of sport I also enjoy growing my own vegetables (a welcome break from the children!).
Testimonials
Mark Hands is the best family lawyer that I have come across. I refer all my work to him. He is very clever, down to earth, knowledgeable and strategic.
Mark Hands is a pragmatic individual, who set the strategy at our first meeting. He took the emotion and rhetoric away, and conducted our responses and arguments on a non-combative basis. - Legal 500, 2025 (Leading Partner)
"The ‘simply amazing’ Mark Hands heads the team at Irwin Mitchell. Hands acts for very wealthy individuals and is often instructed by third parties who need to intervene in Asian divorce situations."
"Mark Hands is an exceptional Partner who was always willing and able to listen, encouraged a ‘no-nonsense’ approach to correspondence and engaged in building a good-team to progress the case."
"Mark Hands – He is the best family law solicitor I have come across. He is incredibly clever and strategic. His knowledge of the law is second to none. He handles cases involving £100s millions and goes toe to toe with the best in London and wins." - Legal 500 2024 (Leading Individuals)
"Mark Hands and Lucy Todd supported me during one of my life's most complex and stressful times. They were experts in negotiating the finance and child arrangement matters in a professional and child-focused manner, always ensuring we stayed on track and concentrated on the issues that mattered.
"In addition to being a lawyer with an eye for detail, Mark led my case with compassion, patience and insight into the broader impact this case had on my and my family's lives, which I will always be grateful for. I have no hesitation in recommending Mark, Lucy (and the IM team) to anyone exploring a cohesive and capable legal team in Birmingham for this adverse life event." - 5* Trustpilot review
"I am very grateful to both Lucy and Mark Hands (and the entire IM team) for their smooth handling of this matter. I would recommend Lucy and Mark wholeheartedly to anyone in a similarly difficult position." - 5* Trustpilot review
"I regularly work with Mark Hands. He is the stand-out partner in the area of family law in Birmingham and the West Midlands and beyond. He is extremely clever, strategically brilliant and generally wise well beyond his years. His client care skills are amazing. I have recently been involved with him in very high value cases (measured in the £100s million) and cases involving professional sports people and celebrities. He goes toe to toe with the best in London and wins. His ability to understand very complex corporate structures is second to none." - Legal 500, 2023
"Mark Hands - a wonderful example of how to be a cheerful, likeable solicitor but at the same time be a powerhouse who is feared across the world of family law. He is an amazing tactician and always sees ahead to the end of the case when advising his clients." - Legal 500, 2023
"Mark Hands has a broad practice encompassing complex financial mandates and children matters, often with international aspects including property portfolios and tax issues. His practice is based in Birmingham." - Chambers & Partners, 2023
"Mark's vast experience, impressive attention to detail and empathy are a winning combination... He is hardworking, exceptionally clever and pragmatic, with a detailed knowledge of the law... He is phenomenally well organised and gives very sensible, pragmatic advice." - Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Up and Coming)
"Mark Hands exudes energy, talent and star quality. He has an infectious enthusiasm for his cases which starts from the moment he accepts a case until the moment it is concluded." - Legal 500, 2022 (Next Generation Partner)
"He is responsive, extremely thorough and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law." – Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Star Associate)
"Mark Hands is funny, responsive, extremely thorough as well as having an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. He writes concise, detailed, clear letters of instruction and makes our life easier as a result. I have seen him go toe to toe with the best in London and win." – Legal 500, 2021 (Next Generation Partner)
"Mark Hands is truly brilliant. He has gravitas and knowledge way beyond his years. He is equally adept at handling big money cases and complicated children cases." – Chambers & Partners, 2020
"Extremely well organised’, ‘utterly dedicated to each case' and 'ridiculously hard-working.'" – Legal 500, 2018/19
"Mark Hands has exceptional client handling skills on high level cases, is very hands on, very straightforward and takes a constructive approach to matters‘ - Chambers and Partners
"Extremely well organised... utterly dedicated to each case... ridiculously hard-working."" – Legal 500, 2018/19
"He is very astute, commercially aware and has a friendly manner.' – Chambers & Partners, 2019
"Mark Hands is an incredibly talented and extremely knowledgeable solicitor who was born to do this job, his dedication and support to his clients whatever the hour, well I have no words! He has always kept me calm, sane and strong through some difficult times and he even ran to Court with me across Birmingham to file an urgent application a few years ago before the weekend to ensure my family were protected... I would go nowhere else other than Irwin Mitchell as long as Mark is there" - 5* Trustpilot review
"All I can say is a big thank-you to all involved with my case, starting first and foremost with Mark Hands. Mark and his team were excellent from start to finish and I got to know quite a few of them... There is no easy way to resolve such matters, some maybe, more than others of course, but I can honestly say that it has been a pleasure to have worked alongside such a professional team led by Mark Hands who personally supported me during some really testing times with his professional approach and at times lifting my spirits" - 5* Trustpilot review
"[Mark] is possibly the best [solicitor] I have ever worked with, his knowledge of dealing with family issues are mind blowing along with his professionalism is utterly flawless... I could not be more grateful to both Mark Hands and Lucy Todd for their guidance and help. Fantastic professionals who I will always be indebted too." - 5* Trustpilot review
"I changed solicitors at the beginning of my divorce because I heard such amazing things about Mark Hands and it’s the best move I could have done. Mark is an incredible solicitor, he has helped me along the way for over a year and has been nothing but dedicated and professional going the extra mile, nothing was ever too much. I will be thoroughly recommending Mark, as does everyone else! You deserve your reputation, Mark. Thank you" - 5* Trustpilot review
"...Extremely professional, precise and honest throughout my divorce. Their advice at all times has been not only realistic but reassuring, during a particularly stressful and painful phase of my life. There have been many situations where I have needed a quick and detailed response to understand my legal position or gain quick clarification or advice about a document. Lucy Todd and Mark Hands were always prompt in their responses and extremely clear about my legal rights and position moving forward..." - 5* Trustpilot review
"...not only have you been very efficient, professional and always helpful, you also showed a great deal of compassion which made the whole process much less painful. The results which you achieved were beyond all our expectations and I cannot recommend you enough...' – Former client
"Thank you for your support and advice during a very difficult time. I would not hesitate to recommend you as a solicitor.' – Former client
"His advice and support have been second to none, he was diligent in seeking my views and constantly kept me informed... Mark represented my interests very efficiently and with great judgement and sensitivity. I would not hesitate in recommending [him].” – Former client
"... one of the region’s stellar matrimonial lawyers... he is extremely hardworking and is always prepared to go the ‘extra mile’... he is considerate and has repeatedly demonstrated a clear insight into the range of issues faced by clients in a diverse, multi-cultural city like Birmingham.” – Barrister and Deputy District Judge
Awards
- Law Society Solicitor of the Year - 2015
- International Academy of Family Lawyers European Award - 2016
- Jordan’s Family Law Team of the Year 2017
- Birmingham Law Society – Family Law Team Excellence in Client Service 2019
Publications
