Russell Cooke Kingston Upon Thames

About Helena

Arrangements for families, whether that is at the start of a relationship or when it has sadly broken down, can be complex and overwhelming for the people dealing with them. I aim to take a clear and constructive approach to conclude matters as quickly as possible with the best outcome for my clients bearing in mind their situations.

Helena advises on a range of family matters arising from the breakdown of relationships or where there are disputes relating to children. These include divorce and separation, financial proceedings, and issues arising from the situation of non-married couples including property disputes under TLATA.

She has experience in matters involving children, including domestic and international relocation matters and international child abduction. She also advises clients on matters at the start of the relationship including pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements and declarations of trust for property ownership.

Helena is committed to resolving family matters amicably and constructively and achieving cost and time effective resolutions. As well as advising her own clients, she assists the family partners on more complex cases, particularly those with an international element.

Helena trained at Russell-Cooke and qualified into the family team in 2018.

Helena French was amazing with pretty much immediate responses, never failing answering many of my questions and I can genuinely say that I always felt she was working on my case with all of her abilities and knowledge. Helena was very patient with me and led me through the divorce process with ease and humanity that I've learned is rare to find during these proceedings.
The Legal 500 (2025)

Notable cases

Helena has acted in the recent Court of Appeal case B (Children) (Abduction: Consent: Oral Evidence) (Article 13(B)) [2022] EWCA Civ 1171 (19 August 2022) (bailii.org), successfully appealing a decision for the return of children to Spain.

I have worked with Helena French on a number of occasions. She is an excellent junior solicitor and a rising star in international children work.
The Legal 500 (2025)

Memberships

  • Member of Resolution
  • Sits on the Surrey YRes committee where she helps to arrange training and events for junior family lawyers throughout the country
  • Member of the solicitor panel for the Affordable Advice Service provided by Advicenow and Resolution

Helena's highlights

News

30.05.2024

Russell-Cooke promotes five senior associates

Russell-Cooke has announced five senior associate promotions that will take effect from 1 July 2023...
Harriet Allsop, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, property litigation team. Rebecca Cumming, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, charity law and not for profit team. Helena French, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, family and children team. Fiona Buckland, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, real estate, planning and construction team. Olivia Llewellyn, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, private client team.
Multiple Authors
2 min Read
Harriet Allsop, Rebecca Cumming, Helena French, Fiona Dos Santos, Olivia Llewellyn
News

06.02.2023

Making sure your children feel heard during a divorce or separation

Helena French, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, family and children team.
Helena French
4 min Read
News

30.11.2022

In family law, language really matters

Helena French, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, family and children team.
Helena French
4 min Read
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