Scottish Family Law Firm SKO to Cease Practice After 18 Years

20 September 2026

In a significant development within Scotland's legal community, SKO, a prominent family law firm, has announced it will cease practice on 6 November 2026. Established 18 years ago, SKO has been a leading specialist in family law, consistently ranked in the top tier by legal directories for over a decade. The firm's four partners have decided to pursue new opportunities, leading to the firm's closure.

Rachael Kelsey will join Burges Salmon, while Alison Edmondson and Robert Gilmour are set to join Shepherd and Wedderburn, where they will establish new Scottish family law teams. Susan Oswald, a founding partner, plans to step back from advisory practice and continue her mediation work independently.

The partners expressed pride in their achievements, stating, "We have acted in some of the highest profile and most complex cases, and at the same time have embedded pro bono representation and public service in our practice." They acknowledged that the firm's evolution was inevitable and that the time was right to close SKO.

For clients, this transition means that while SKO will continue to operate as usual until November, they will be contacted individually to discuss future arrangements. The partners are committed to ensuring a smooth transition, emphasizing that the new roles will provide enhanced support and resources for clients.

At Thompson Family Law, we recognize the impact such changes can have on clients and the broader legal community. We remain dedicated to providing comprehensive family law services and are here to assist anyone seeking guidance during this period of change.