Susan Oswald, Partner
Tel: +44 (0)131 357 1136
Email: susan.oswald@sko-family.co.uk
Susan is one of the founding Partners of SKO. She is recognised by the Legal 500 as a 'Leading Individual' in Family Law in Scotland. Susan was elected to the Law Society of Scotland Council, first in 2017, and again in 2020. She is one of only seven accredited Child Law Specialists in Edinburgh and is also accredited as a Family Mediator.
Susan has been ranked in Chambers and Partners Guide to the Legal Profession for a decade, with the current Edition in 2023 reporting a client's testimonial of Susan, "I was greatly impressed by Susan's in-depth knowledge and great communication skills." with the 2022 Edition having noted of Susan, "She is very knowledgeable and capable, meaning you feel extremely secure working with her." "She gave me outstanding advice, was very hands-on and followed up on all the issues that arose." "Susan is a very good mediator and excellent in child cases."
Susan is known as an experienced, sensitive, straightforward and direct solicitor. She is unusual in Scotland as someone who is both highly regarded as a court lawyer- regularly appearing in court and also being appointed by Sheriffs as a reporter and curator ad litem in family cases- whilst also being a skilled and in-demand mediator- there are few busier mediators in Scotland.
Susan advises across the full spectrum of family law matters, including separation, divorce and financial provision and has particular expertise in cases which have both financial and child elements, given her specialism in child law, which includes residence and contact cases as well as adoption (often international adoption) and specific issue order applications, including relocation. Susan also has a significant practice acting for Local Authorities, County Councils and Charities in relation to public law child matters, including the placement of children and adoption intra-UK and child protection issues.
Susan is a Trustee and Board Member of Family Journeys, a charity in Edinburgh and the Lothians which supports separated families and provides mediation and contact centre services. She has been a member of the Family Law Association for many years and was on the Management Committee from 2013 to 2022. She has an MA (Hons) in addition to her Law degree, both from the University of Edinburgh.