Elise Peden, Director
With roots in the central belt Elise relocated to the Highlands in April 2011 to take up post as an Assistant in the court department of a well respected Inverness firm. Having noted that there was a lack of local and accessible representation for individuals engaged in the Children’s Referral system in the Highlands Elise returned briefly to Glasgow in 2015 to gain that experience with a view to bringing the knowledge back to Inverness and the surrounding areas. In 2016 Elise returned to her role in Inverness, firstly as an Associate and then a Director within the same firm. She is currently the only local (to the Highlands) solicitor who offers public child law advice and representation.
As well as Child Law matters, Elise has vast experience in all aspects of Family Law and can advise on all issues arising from family matters including financial separation, Minutes of Agreement, Divorce, rights of Cohabitees and of course, Residence and Contact matters in relation to children.
In 2017 Elise was accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Family Law, shortly thereafter, in June 2018 she was accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Child Law. Specialist Accreditation is awarded by the Law Society of Scotland to solicitors who have developed particular expertise and a depth of knowledge in an area, and handle more complex work and cases.
In addition to providing advice and representation to private individuals Elise is often instructed by the courts as a Child Welfare Reporter throughout the Highlands to report on the circumstances of children and provide recommendations to inform decisions in respect of their care.
If you would like to chat to Elise about your case please contact her at elise@cameronclyde.co.uk or by telephone on 01463 513789
Sarah Cumming, Associate Solicitor
Sarah, born and bred in Dufftown, graduated from the University of Aberdeen with an Honours Degree in law in 2016. She completed her Diploma in Legal Practice with distinction in 2017 when she was awarded the prestigious Family Association Award for achieving the best result in her year in the Family Law Course.
Sarah commenced her traineeship in Inverness in 2018 undertaking seats in conveyancing and private client work as well as working with Elise and Tina in the Family and Child Law department.
Sarah qualified as a Solicitor in 2020 and was promoted to Associate in 2021 in recognition of her exceptional legal abilities, work ethic and commitment to client care.
Sarah manages a full case load advising on all aspects of child and family law from contact issues to financial separation. She regularly appears in court and in children’s panels and is well-respected for her excellent advocacy skills and detailed legal knowledge.
Outside of the office Sarah enjoys baking and is very interested in travel.
Tina Macdougall, Accredited Paralegal
Tina, originally from Barra, qualified as a Civil Court Paralegal in 2005 whilst working in the central belt. She relocated to the Highlands in 2009 and joined a well respected Inverness firm where, in 2010, she became a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Registered Paralegal Scheme, specialising in Family Law.
Tina is a member of the Institute of Paralegals and, since 2011, has been Elise’s ‘right hand woman’ in the office. Tina is appreciated by clients for her legal knowledge, administrative expertise and commitment to client care.
Outside of the office Tina is a busy mum to two “tweenage” daughters.