Shelley Cumbers, Solicitor 
Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2007, Shelley has worked exclusively in family and divorce law in London and Colchester.  She is currently based at Knights in Colchester following their acquisition of Birkett Long LLP in June 2025. Shelley Chairs the Colchester Collaborative Lawyers group. 
 
Shelley is experienced in handling all aspects of private family law, with particular emphasis on divorce, cohabitation, financial and children matters.  
 
A member of Resolution since her qualification, Shelley trained as a collaborative lawyer in 2012 and is committed to resolving matters constructively and sensibly. 
She is able to offer a free telephone call to provide general information, including whether the collaborative process may be suitable to your case. 
 
Shelley advises a wide range of clients from medium to high value, including those whose cases have an international aspect. She advises both married and unmarried clients regarding a broad range of family law issues, including prenuptial and cohabitation agreements, as well as assisting with the arrangements that need to be made following relationship breakdown. 
 
Shelley enjoys helping people move onto the next chapter in their lives so that they can begin to plan for the future. She believes the benefits of collaborative law are far-reaching and that the process enables couples to concentrate on what is important to the needs of their particular family.  
 
Shelley finds that the collaborative process allows parties to resolve matters at their own pace, with their own agenda, whilst always focussing on what is best for the family now and in the future. This can be significantly beneficial for families with children and, in her experience, Shelley has witnessed how the process can help parents manage their relationship as ongoing parents. This, in turn, helps children cope better with the family breakdown as they see their parents working things out together. 
Contact Shelley