FRENCH VERSION / VERSION FRANÇAISE
Will is a partner in the Family & Divorce team and advises clients on the full range of family law issues arising on the breakdown of relationships. He has a particular interest in resolving complex financial claims often with an international element. He has over 15 years of experience having spent his formative years at Withers in London. He is ranked in the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide and listed in the recommended category of the Spears Family Law Index.
He also advises on arrangements for children following the breakdown of a relationship.
On the non-contentious side, he is frequently instructed by families to advise on wealth protection issues and nuptial and cohabitation agreements.
Specific areas of expertise include:
- financial claims on divorce often with assets held abroad or in corporate or trust structures;
- jurisdiction disputes and financial claims following a foreign divorce;
- advising clients wishing to vary or terminate ongoing maintenance payments;
- wealth protection including advising on domestic and international prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to protect businesses, trust interests and inherited wealth;
- advising on cohabitation agreements to avoid property disputes between unmarried couples;
- child arrangements disputes and acting for parents wishing to relocate abroad with their children; and
- financial claims for children brought by unmarried parents.
His clients have included professional sportspeople (including premiership football and rugby players), investment bankers, city professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners and landowners. His recent international work has involved other jurisdictions including Russia, Brazil, France, Italy, China, Serbia and the USA (Illinois and California) and he has worked closely with lawyers in those jurisdictions to achieve his client’s aims.
Where possible, Will seeks to settle cases without the need for contested court proceedings but he will fight his client’s corner if required.
Reported Cases
- Re S (A Child) (Abduction: Hearing the Child) [2014] EWCA Civ 155
- M v M [2013] EWHC 2534 (Fam)
What directories and clients have said
Will MacFarlane is excellent overall. He blends technical knowledge with an understanding of his clients"
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2025
Will MacFarlane is a fierce opponent and has great skill, talent and legal knowledge."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2025
Will is an outstanding family lawyer who thinks strategically. He is responsive and highly efficient."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2024
Will is a pleasure to work with. He is a tough operator who fights his clients' corner but is commercial and pragmatic and adopts a sensible stance. He is really building a name for himself."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2024
Will is incredibly personable. He has superb client care skill and is easy to deal with on the other side. He is efficient and gets things done, and does a lot of international work as well."
Chambers and Partners, High Net Worth Guide 2024
Clients love him. He cares so much about every part of their lives and lives and breathes their cases until they are in a strong position again."
Legal 500 UK 2023
Very good judgement and attention to detail."
Legal 500 UK 2023
Will is making a real name as an energetic, creative family lawyer who is not to be underestimated."
Chambers HNW 2023
He's very clever, exceptional with clients, and is supportive and collaborative with counsel."
Chambers HNW 2023
Will has the hallmarks of a brilliant partner - he is very sensible, reasonable and very strategic."
Chambers UK, 2023
He is absolutely great. Clients really love him, he lives and breathes their cases, and he is always on top of things."
Chambers UK, 2023
He is always one of my go-to lawyers."
Chambers UK, 2023
Very good judgment and attention to detail.
Legal 500, 2023
Clients love him. He cares so much about every part of their lives and lives and breathes their cases until they are in a strong position again."
Legal 500, 2023
Publications, webinars and Speaking Engagements
- Win for rich who use spouse to avoid inheritance tax - The Times, July 2025 (subscription required)
- Why financial settlement after divorce is still a mess - The Times, January 2025 (subscription required).
- Law Commission publishes scoping report on financial remedies on divorce - The Law Commission, December 2024
- Meryl Streep joins the stealth splitters with secret separation - The Times, October 2023
- Stepping Stones | What Americans in the UK need to know about marriage and divorce - Buzzacott podcast, September 2023
- Kingsley Napley: What Succession tells us about protecting your assets - Spear's, August 2022
- ‘The media are coming to a family court near you’ published in Thought Leaders HNW Divorce Magazine, February 2022.
- Appeared as a panellist at the Thought Leaders 4 Disputes Shareholder Disputes and Class Actions Conference in November 2021.
- Quoted in The Times on 6 April 2021 discussing how family lawyers adapted their working practices as a result of the Covid pandemic.
- ‘Striving for a fair result? Attacking real estate held by offshore companies’ Trusts and Estates Law and Tax Journal, April 2014
- Quoted in, ‘Coming soon: a divorce where no one is to blame’, the Times on 13 September 2018
- Delivered a talk at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales annual conference in November 2017 on valuation issues in Family Law
- Answered readers’ questions on spousal maintenance in FT Money, 23 September 2018
- Quoted in ‘Pass the word on security’, Your Money (Daily Express), 6 February 2019
Professional Memberships and awards
- Ranked in the "Recommended" tier in Spear's 2025 Family Law Index
- Resolution
- Listed as a Citywealth Leader in Family and Matrimonial
- Doyle's Guide 2025, Leading, Family & Divorce Lawyer
Education
- University of St Andrews, Modern History MA (Hons)
- BBP Law School, London, PGDL and LPC
