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International Family Law

Much of our work involves international considerations, whether our clients or their partners live abroad, hold assets abroad or are considering relocating.  London continues to be the destination of choice for international entrepreneurs, investors, professionals and their families. We regularly assist clients with international roots and we are very used to working with people from different cultures and backgrounds and provide a collaborative and personal service.

Many of our lawyers are fellows of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) or members of the International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA), enjoying close links with foreign lawyers globally. This provides us with a strong network to provide cross-jurisdictional advice in relation to family law issues. We have a particular depth of experience in cases involving other European countries, the Middle East and the USA.

In our international cases, issues often arise such as immigration questions, property situated here or abroad, and succession or tax planning. We work closely with expert lawyers in our Immigration, Private Client, Criminal and Real Estate teams to give comprehensive advice to clients who benefit from the breadth of expertise in this firm. Together we can provide a joined-up service that offers clients the right solutions, whether at an urgent early stage, or later on once the main settlement has been achieved.

For more details about how our other departments advise on international issues please visit our dedicated page for  international families.

our experience 

  • Cross-border divorce: a case study of asset protection in the Bahamas 
  • An Anglo-French divorce case study: jurisdiction, marriage contract and relocation
  • Acting for a UK national in a forum dispute between England and the USA, working closely with our private client team and international tax accountants in relation to potential US tax consequences of the divorce settlement.
  • Acting for a London based French national in a forum dispute between England and France, involving competing proceedings in France and England. Working closely with French lawyers acting in the competing French proceedings and other experts to resolve the case by agreement, avoiding protracted litigation in both jurisdictions.
  • Acting for an international CEO to bring divorce proceedings in England where assets were worldwide, including in USA, Canada and Eastern Europe. Working with our immigration team to secure investor visas for family members and with our corporate team to implement the financial settlement; coordinating corporate advice from multiple jurisdictions, re-negotiating shareholders’ agreements, trusts advice to ensure the children are financially provided for and international tax planning at every stage.
  • Acting for a Middle Eastern wife starting divorce proceedings in London to avoid the Sharia court of her home jurisdiction.

International Prenuptial Agreements

  • Advising a US/French national on the terms of a prenuptial agreement involving significant trust interests and dynastic wealth, obtaining advice for the client in France and the USA given future residence plans.
  • Advising a UK resident French national on the implications of a bespoke French marriage contract in the event of an English divorce. Working closely with a French lawyer to negotiate more favourable terms for the client.

 

International Expertise

We have dealt with international divorce and children cases involving the following jurisdictions. We have strong relationships with lawyers in these jurisdictions and in the family team, we have a number of foreign language speakers.

Antigua, Austria, Bermuda, Belgium, BVI, Canada, Caribbean, Cayman, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Jersey, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Italy, India, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UAE, USA.

 

WHAT IS SAID ABOUT US

It's a team that has a great breadth of experience across the board and particularly in international cases."

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession

I always think of them as having a Rolls-Royce service but they are particularly good when there's a European element to the case."

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession

Very strong litigation practice, with some of the best up-and-coming stars of tomorrow"

Legal 500 UK

A standout firm"

Legal 500 UK

Professional yet sympathetic manner and the team always fights hard to defend your interests"

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession

They are just a really nice firm, and do a very good job and have very good clients. They are good at cross-over complexity. It probably helps that they have lots of departments that deal with those areas and a criminal team. They are really good solicitors and good to work with, they engage on a human level and clients like them as a result. It's a proper all-round service."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 

 

If you require further information or advice from our team of specialist family lawyers, please contact a member of our teamemail us or call us on +44 (0)20 7814 1200. Alternatively you can submit a brief online enquiry here.

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International Family Law Insights

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Blogs

French marriage contracts in England – are we finally aligned across the channel?

Filing for a "Eurostar" divorce - Paris or London?

Anglo French prenuptial agreements – the myths of cross channel protection and the global prenup?

Till death us do part – matrimonial regimes, nuptial agreements and inheritance

French matrimonial regimes: the wide ranging impact for couples with Anglo-French connections

The Court of Appeal’s decision in Re S (Children: Parentage and Jurisdiction) [2023] EWCA Civ 897

Montrez-moi l’argent – principales différences entre les demandes d’ordre financier françaises et anglaises dans le cadre d’une procédure de divorce

Show me the money – key differences between French and English financial order applications in divorce proceedings

Compensated surrogacy legalised in New York state

Claiming for maintenance in England when divorcing elsewhere in the EU: Will Brexit close the Villiers loophole?

Moving abroad or returning home with children and the risks of child abduction during the coronavirus crisis

Coronavirus et auto-isolement: Que faire lorsque le danger est chez soi

The financial consequences of relying on sole domicile in your divorce petition

The great depositions debate

The Indian “joint family” and the challenges of protecting family wealth on divorce

When a 'love affair' is not enough

Using a formula for spousal maintenance - does it add up?

Dubai: The enforcement of orders made in family proceedings and the role of Interpol

Brexit and the race to divorce courts

Going your own way – top tips for limiting emotional and financial costs when divorcing

Divorce in England and Dubai: quick, quick, slow?

Islamic marriages – are you really married under English law?

Parenting under immigration and family law - Sole responsibility is outdated and at odds with the Children Act

International families and the price of child relocation without consent

Less hide, more seek - divorce and financial transparency

English Court of Appeal follows US case example in deciding earning capacity is not a matrimonial asset to be shared

US expats in the UK: The price of divorce has just increased

Dubai divorce settlements - how to spend it

Parental alienation and intractable contact disputes – when all seems lost

Children, divorce, narcissism and parental alienation - the perfect storm

Expat divorce in Dubai – the challenges of child relocation and navigating UAE residency visa options

Adultery, blame and divorce - the end is nigh?

Donald Trump divorce – real or fake news when valuing a family business on divorce?

Reconciliation Contracts – an alternative to divorce?

Brexit and relocating with children overseas – mind the immigration and family law gaps

Parenthood and surrogacy developments in France

United Arab Emirates - the latest "tax haven" to sign up to enhanced tax transparency

Practical tips on varying spousal maintenance – does life mean life?

No fault divorce – taking the blame out of divorce to reduce conflict and litigation

Dubai leads the world in avoiding disputed Wills

Regulating Relations – parenthood through assisted reproduction in Australia and abroad

Delay in making a decree absolute — an exception rather than the rule

Parenting and separation – the challenges of parental alienation and what to do about it

Divorce in England and the UAE – the uncertainty of two discretionary divorce jurisdictions

Divorce and summertime blues in the UAE

Options in the English courts for ‘illegitimate’ children living in the UAE

The case of Re Z: the pitfalls of informal surrogacy arrangements and the importance of transparency and trust

Divorce en France ou en Angleterre : à qui la faute ?

Divorce in France or in England – who plays the blame game?

Moving counties or countries with children after separation - where to now?

Moving abroad with children - rocking the legal ‘see-saw’ of habitual residence

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