Our History

Since being established in 2012, the reputation and profile of Tisshaws Family Law Solicitors has gone from strength to strength. Our busy and thriving practice is now the largest specialist family law firm in Mid Sussex.

Tisshaws Family Law Solicitors was founded by Gilva Tisshaw, who has been practicing family law for over 27 years. She has been based in Haywards Heath since 1996 and she is one of the longest established family law solicitors in Sussex. Gilva is highly respected in the legal community and has been a member of the Law Society Family Law Advanced Panel since 2002. She is also a Past President of the Sussex Law Society and sits as an Assistant Coroner.

We provide high quality legal advice, within a caring environment

When setting up Tisshaws Family Law Solicitors, Gilva’s vision was to “provide high quality legal advice within a caring, friendly and approachable environment” We want to ensure, whenever possible, that clients feel they are being listened to and their needs are being met.

The whole practice shares this ethos of wanting to help and support their clients in a practical way, during what are often difficult and upsetting times. Gilva says “We never forget that we are dealing with real people’s lives, their children and their homes. It is really important that we not only get the best deal for them, but that we do it in a way that is respectful of their relationship and family”.

We will always try to resolve disputes using a non-confrontational approach

We strongly believe in trying to maintain a constructive and non-confrontational approach when dealing with disputes. Our solicitors are members of Resolution, demonstrating their commitment to this approach.

We were the first specialist firm to achieve Lexcel accreditation in Haywards Heath

In 2012, just 3 months after opening, Tisshaws Family Law Solicitors were honoured to be awarded a Lexcel accreditation, which is the Law Society’s gold standard of quality. This accreditation is held by only 16% of law firms in England and Wales and is only awarded to practices with an excellent standard of legal practice management and client care.

The majority of our work comes from referrals

We are proud that the majority of our new clients come from personal referrals and recommendations from legal colleagues. Increasingly, we are finding clients working in the capital are choosing to use us instead of expensive London practices. We think that clients are realising that the quality of service and support we offer is much higher than that of the big London firms, but our fees are much lower.

We can talk through your options before you make a decision. If you would like legal advice on any family matters, then please feel free to contact us.