Important Notice
Important notice regarding an email purporting to be from Nigel Gibson-Birch.
Kathryn Ainsworth
Family, Children & Separation
Head of Private Family Law Team and Head of Legal Practice (Compliance)
Testimonials
Kathryn Ainsworth. Top legal authority. Tremendous grasp of facts and ability to translate into bespoke finessed strategy. Eloquent yet down to earth, practical, thoughtful and sensitive, sharp, focussed, reassuring, kind.
Machins stands out for its combination of expertise, personal approach and strong client relationships. Kathryn Ainsworth, in particular, brings extensive experience and a reputation for providing clear, no-nonsense, practical advice with a personal touch. The team’s focus on tailored, proactive legal services and direct access to senior lawyers sets them apart from larger firms.
Legal 500 2026
Kathryn is at once knowledgeable and familiar with handling the most complex matters, not least in highly contentious financial remedy work.
Chambers & Partners Referee 2026
She is an unbelievably good lawyer, really down to earth and puts the clients at ease. She is very versatile and can fight the client's corner hard when she needs too.
Chambers & Partners Referee 2026
Kathryn Ainsworth is quite simply one of the best solicitors in the business. An amazing tactician who has clients eating out of her hands.
Legal 500 2025
Kathryn Ainsworth is an excellent family lawyer. She gets under the skin of a case right at the outset and her tactical planning towards the desired result is unerringly right on the mark.
Legal 500 2025
Kathryn was very experienced in her knowledge about my case and worked hard for the best outcome for me
Kathryn is excellent. She is a force to be reckoned with, always giving spot-on advice, and is a rock for her clients.
Chambers and Partners 2024
Kathryn Ainsworth is absolutely no-nonsense and gives frank advice which is always correct. She is brilliant at telling clients what they need to hear, rather than what they want to hear. I would always recommend her in any case where you need a lawyer to cut through the nonsense and just get to grips with the issues.
Legal 500 2024
I want to thank you for the way you handled our file. Your kindness, professionalism and interpretation of the situation have made a huge difference. You might say that is part of your job but experience tells me that everything we do and more precisely the way we do it, our intention comes down to who we deeply are, the values we promote.
Kathryn Ainsworth. Steers the ship better than any captain!’
Legal 500 2023
Their team ethic. They are so cohesive, all under the watchful eye of the brilliant Kathryn Ainsworth.
Legal 500 2023
Kathryn Ainsworth is very good on strategy and knows the law inside out.
Legal 500 2023
Kathryn Ainsworth’s judgement is always spot on and the high and moral standards that she sets always ensures that clients get a first class service.
Legal 500 2021
Machins are a fantastic firm to work with. Kathryn Ainsworth leads a team that in my opinion are leading the way in the home counties. They work extremely hard for all clients and are committed to every case and often go above and beyond when it really matters.
Legal 500 2021
Kathryn Ainsworth is simply superb. Her judgement is second to none, leaving her clients with realistic expectations from their first contact with her.
Kathryn Ainsworth leads the team by example. She delivers superb advice, always goes the extra mile for the client and is on top of her game. A real star!
I have recommended Kathryn on numerous occasions, she was professional, compassionate, concise, clear, no nonsense and strong for me when I felt like giving in. Couldn't speak more highly about her.
I cannot tell you how lucky I feel in dealing with professional people which such high moral standards and impeccable business practice. It has been an absolute pleasure in dealing with you, your staff and colleagues, even though my personal circumstances were somewhat difficult, you at least made it bearable, which is indeed an immense skill.
I just wanted to thank you so, so much for all your hard work in getting my settlement. You were incredibly patient with me and if it wasn’t for your efforts I wouldn’t have anything.
Thank you for all your help in getting this to closure. The inevitable emotional wear and tear of the situation was much alleviated by the fact that you very clearly know what you are doing and the quality of service you provided was of the impeccably highest order. Knowing that you were to hand was not only a reassurance but a pleasure.
Kathryn is immensely impressive and professional. She put me at ease straight away.
I appreciated Kathryn’s pragmatic approach and honesty. There was transparency at all stages over fees and I felt she understood my situation and my needs.
Kathryn Ainsworth leads by example. She truly rises above all the unimportant stuff and gets to the crux of the issues of a case in a heart beat. Her client skills are also second to none.
Legal 500 2022
She has great synergy with clients and an understanding of what they're going through.
Chambers and Partners 2022
She is helpful, knowledgeable, calm and focused on finding the best way forward for her client.
Chambers and Partners 2022
Found Kathryn and Suzanne warm and understanding, but most of all honest. People want to know they are working with someone they can trust. This was evident with Kathryn and Suzanne.
About Kathryn
Kathryn qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and has been based in Berkhamsted since 2000. With over three decades of experience in family law, she brings both depth of expertise and a reputation for excellence to her practice. Kathryn joined Machins Solicitors LLP in May 2012 following the merger of her former firm, Sumner & Tabor.
She leads Machins’ highly regarded private family law team, known for delivering clear, strategic advice in often emotionally complex situations. Kathryn held the position of Managing Partner from January 2023 to December 2025, reflecting her exceptional leadership qualities and commitment to the firm’s growth and client service. In January 2026 Kathryn returned her full focus to the family law team and resumed the position of Head of Legal Practice (Compliance).
Kathryn is widely respected for her work in high net worth financial cases, particularly those arising from divorce and separation. She has an outstanding track record in matters involving businesses, overseas assets and complex financial arrangements, offering sophisticated, tailored solutions to protect her clients’ long-term interests.
Her clients value her thoughtful approach, strategic insight, and ability to handle sensitive matters with confidence and care. Kathryn combines technical excellence with calm professionalism, making her one of the most trusted names in family law across the region.
Memberships and accolades
- Member, Resolution
- ‘Hall of Fame’, Legal 500 (2024. 2025 and 2026)
Specialist practice areas
- Family law
- Divorce
- Financial cases where there is high net worth, foreign assets or businesses or complex financial arrangements
- Pre/postnuptial agreements
Latest news by Kathryn Ainsworth
Coercive Control in Divorce: Court Cuts Wife’s Settlement by 40%
This case explores how the courts approach financial settlements when coercive or controlling behaviour has played a role in the relationship.
High Court Awards Wife £3.4m Lump Sum and Family Home After 28-Year Marriage
A High Court judge has awarded a wife the family home and a £3.4m lump sum after a 28-year marriage, alongside a share of future private equity interests. The ruling highlights how courts handle complex financial arrangements in high net worth divorce cases.
Asset Transfers: “If I Transfer Assets to a Third Party, the Court Will Ignore Them”
This article highlights the importance of strategic financial planning during divorce, especially when pensions are involved. With careful analysis and expert guidance, separating couples can achieve fair and effective outcomes that support their long-term financial wellbeing.
Wife Wins £13m in High-Net-Worth Divorce Settlement
A landmark high net worth divorce settlement case saw a wife awarded £13 million following a lengthy financial dispute. The judgment highlights how courts approach asset division, disclosure failures, and post-separation conduct in complex divorces.
Introducing Our New Trainee Solicitors: Priya, Ciara and Nadiyah
This July, we’re excited to welcome three new trainee solicitors – Ciara, Nadiyah, and Priya – to Machins Solicitors. Each brings a unique background, a passion for the law, and a commitment to making a difference. Learn more about their journeys, inspirations, and what they’re looking forward to as they begin their training contracts.