Divorce Law

Divorce can be very confusing, both emotionally and in terms of the practical issues you need to work through. Our divorce solicitors are here to guide you through this difficult time, helping you to make the right decisions, achieve the outcome you need and get a fresh start.

Our Matrimonial and Family team works with a wide range of clients, including High Net Worth individuals and their spouses. We can provide clear, sensible advice on everything from the legal process of ending your marriage to achieving a financial separation and making arrangements for children.

Conflict is something most people are keen to avoid and we reflect this in our approach. Wherever possible, we will seek to achieve an amicable agreement on the details of your divorce, saving you time, money and stress.

However, we recognise that court proceedings are sometimes needed and have the expert litigation skills needed for such situations. Our team are ready to fight hard for your interests, with a strong track record of success in family court proceedings.

Divorce often involves many complex legal issues and we can draw on expertise from across the firm for matters including property, tax, trusts and business issues. This allows us to offer a truly comprehensive service for your divorce.

To discuss your requirements with our experienced divorce solicitors in Westminster, London, please get in touch.

• Call: 0207 222 5381
• Or use our quick enquiry form

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Matters with which our divorce solicitors can assist

Examples of divorce matters on which we advise include:

• Initiating divorce proceedings
• Responding to divorce proceedings
• Contested divorce proceedings
• Divorce finances
• Child arrangements

Why trust us for divorce advice?

• We have many years of experience dealing with straightforward and highly complex divorce matters.
• Client care is at the heart of our service. We offer practical solutions carefully tailored to your requirements combined with sympathetic personal support.
• Our divorce lawyers are members of Resolution, the UK’s leading family law network which focuses on removing conflict from divorce and family law.
• We work swiftly and efficiently, so you can be confident your time and money is not being wasted.
• We are experts in Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) options including constructive negotiation and mediation to help you get the best outcome for you in the easiest way possible.
• We will always be here to answer your questions and keep you updated on progress.
• You will have a dedicated person who will deal with your case, giving you a consistent point of contact you can turn to whenever you need them.

Find out more about our specific areas of divorce law expertise

Divorce proceedings

Our divorce lawyers can assist with all aspects of divorce proceedings, making it as swift and stress-free as possible for you to legally end your marriage. With our expertise and many years of experience, we can minimise the risk of any mistakes or potential for conflict with your spouse, helping your divorce to go ahead faster and more easily.

Our expertise includes:

• Preparing and submitting divorce petitions
• Responding to a divorce petition
• Contested divorce proceedings

Divorce finances

The financial side of divorce can become very complicated, so it pays to have expert legal advice. This is an area where our team excels, having advised a wide range of clients over the years, including those with substantial and complex assets.

Our divorce financial expertise includes:

• Negotiating financial settlements
• Applying to a court for a Financial Order
• Complex financial arrangements including trust funds, offshore assets, investments and pensions

Child arrangements

Deciding where your children will live and what contact they will have with each parent is sometimes straightforward, but at other times it can become a real point of contention. Our divorce law solicitors have the expertise and sensitive approach needed to give you the best chance of an amicable solution, while being fully prepared to take robust action when needed to protect your children and your relationship with them.

Our child arrangements expertise includes:

• Agreeing child arrangements during divorce or separation
• Applying to a court for a Child Arrangements Order
• Varying child arrangements

Our divorce solicitors’ fees

We believe that our fees should be as transparent as possible. For this reason, we will make all of the likely costs clear upfront, allowing you to make a fair comparison with our competitors.

In certain situations, we may be able to offer fixed fee divorce law services, allowing us to complete an agreed piece of work for a set price.

To find out more about our divorce solicitors’ fees, please get in touch.

Divorce FAQs

What are the grounds for divorce?

There is only one accepted ground for divorce under English law, which is that your marriage has permanently broken down.

Under current English law, you must cite one of the following five reasons in your divorce petition to support this (although this is due to change as covered in the next question):

Adultery – Where your spouse has been unfaithful with someone of the opposite sex (same sex infidelity is classed as ‘unreasonable behaviour’)

Unreasonable behaviour – Covering a range of issues from lack of communication and disputes over money, to very serious issues such as drug abuse and domestic violence.

Desertion – Where your spouse has left you for a total of at least two years out of the last two and half years without your consent, without a good reason and with the intention to end your relationship.

Separation for at least 2 years – Where your spouse agrees to the divorce.

Separation for at least 5 years – Whether your spouse agrees to the divorce or not.

Can I get a no fault divorce?

Currently, no, but this will soon be changing with the introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020. This will make it possible for people to get divorced without needing to provide a reason for the breakdown of their relationship i.e. a ‘no fault’ divorce.

The Act is due to come into force in autumn 2021, although no set date has yet been announced for this.

Do I need to go to court to get divorced?

In most cases, no. As long as your spouse does not choose to defend the divorce, then you will not need to attend a hearing.

If they do choose to defend the divorce, you may need to go to a hearing, however, the ability to contest a divorce is being removed with the introduction of the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, so this will soon no longer be an issue.

Can I get divorced online?

It is now the normal process to apply for a divorce online and most of the process can be completed online if necessary, including through email and videoconferencing as required.

Speak to our divorce lawyers in Westminster, London

To discuss your divorce with our experienced team, please get in touch.

• Call: 0207 222 5381
• Or use our quick enquiry form