Top-Tier Recognition for Machins in Legal 500 2026
Machins Solicitors continues to set the standard for legal excellence, securing its place as a leading firm in family law for the seventh year running in The Legal 500 2026 rankings.
Shelley Rolfe
Family, Children & Separation
Solicitor, Private Family Law Team
Contact Information
Testimonials
My client sought my recommendation for a family lawyer based in Bedfordshire as his step daughter was in the midst of a separation from her husband and there were two children involved. She had been seen by another lawyer locally who had failed to provide any progress in six months and this inactivity alone was causing greater strain on an already stressed situation. Having referred her to Shelley Rolfe at Machins, she was seen within a matter of days and the file and retainer transferred just as swiftly. Shelley progressed the case with minimum of fuss thereafter and the client and his step daughter were impressed by both her availability to provide concise legal advice and information as well as her considerate manner and sensitive approach. It left my client happy with my recommendation which in turn was positive for me and my firm. I would not hesitate to recommend Shelley and Machins to other clients requiring matrimonial advice in the Bedfordshire area.
Simon Ridpath - Partner at Speechley Bircham LLP
I thank you sincerely Shelley for all that you have done for me and my family this year. I am truly grateful for everything that you do for me during these challenging times.
Thank you for all your clear-headed, calm advice so far this year. Every conversation we’ve had with you has done so much to steady us in the midst of almost overwhelming anxiety and shock.
I wanted to take this opportunity to once again thank you and your team for the work you have put in. You are easy to talk to, put things into plain English and you think about the best outcome for your client. Thank you very much in helping me get to the other side.
Shelly is a superstar and I have already passed on her info to others.
Thank you for all your efforts and work.
I express the utmost gratitude for the time spent guiding me and preparing me and felt that I understood the demands of the day, the format and how to negotiate to reach an end goal which satisfied my needs.
Thank you so much for your help, advice and support. It was good to be able to have a solicitor that understood and empathised with my situation and divorce.
Empathetic & helpful, sensible advice
I will always be grateful for your empathy, clarity and tenacity.
Thank you for the fast reply and all the help through this matter, you have been incredible.
About Shelley
Shelley qualified as a Legal Executive in 2000 and as a Solicitor in 2005, bringing over 20 years of dedicated family law experience.
What sets her apart is not only professional expertise but also her personal understanding of the challenges clients face. As a mother of two who has been through divorce herself she knows that legal issues aren’t just about paperwork and court dates – they’re about people, emotions, and life transitions.
Shelley is committed to providing clear, compassionate advice and helping clients find a way forward with confidence and dignity.
Approach to work
“I help clients to understand the process and will be honest and upfront about the likely outcome of a case. I get a great deal of satisfaction helping my clients resolve any family issues with the least amount of fuss and as quickly and efficiently as possible, whilst achieving the best possible outcome.”
Specialist practice areas
- Divorce, dissolution and separation following marriage, civil partnership or cohabitation
- Arrangements between parents or grandparents regarding children
- Financial arrangements following breakdown of a relationship including financial orders and deeds of separation
- Domestic abuse
- Civil partnerships
- Prenuptial arrangements
- Divorce and separation
- Cohabitation disputes
- Children’s matters
- Family law
- Divorce
- Pre/postnuptial agreements
- Private Children Act cases including internal and external relocation, child arrangement orders, Prohibited steps and Specific Issue Orders
Latest news by Shelley Rolfe
Family Court Bars Father from Contact with Son Over Abuse Risk
A family court has ruled that a father should have no contact – direct or indirect – with his four-year-old son after finding that the risk of harm to the mother and child was too great. The decision follows a long-running legal dispute between the parents, JE and TS, who separated in 2022. The child,
Spousal Maintenance: Not an Automatic Right
Spousal maintenance is often misunderstood. This article explains why it’s not automatically awarded in divorce, debunks common myths, and outlines what courts consider when deciding whether support is appropriate.
Why Seeking Legal Advice in Divorce Can Protect Your Family
Divorcing without legal advice can lead to costly mistakes. Learn how expert guidance can ensure a fair settlement, protect your finances, and prioritize child welfare
Divorce After Reconciliation: Court Ruling on Final Orders
A recent Family Court ruling has clarified how short-term reconciliations impact divorce proceedings. This case highlights that reconciliation lasting under two years doesn’t bar a final divorce order. Learn more about the implications of divorce after reconciliation and how it affects your legal rights.
Surge in divorce cases as new No-Fault law takes effect
There has been a surge in the number of divorce applications since the new No-Fault law came into effect in April. The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 aims to reduce the potential for conflict amongst divorcing couples by removing the ability to make allegations about the conduct of a spouse and allowing couples to
Judge was wrong to order that children be returned to ‘abusive’ father
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a judge was wrong to order that two children should be returned to their father, who the mother claimed had been abusive. The mother was English, and the father was American. They married in 2015 and lived in England with the mother’s daughter from a previous relationship. In