Family and Divorce

"The dream team"

The Legal 500 UK 2021 - the leading guide to law firms and solicitors in the UK

We are recognised nationally and internationally as one of the best teams of family lawyers in the country for our expertise in both finance and cases relating to children.

We assist clients from all walks of life and at all stages, whether at the beginning of a relationship and planning a future (for example before a wedding or when relocating to the UK) or at the end of a relationship. Many of our clients or their spouses have international connections, are high net worth individuals or professionals, and may have a public profile.

We will work with you in ways that best suit your needs. That may involve us guiding and advising in the background or representing you and fighting your corner in the courts. Regardless of how you want to use our services, we will support you and put you and your family’s interests first.

Please see below for the range of services we offer and ways in which we can assist you.

Contact our family lawyers

If you require further information or advice from our team of specialist family lawyers, please contact a member of our team or call us on +44 (0)20 7814 1200.

Alternatively you can submit a brief online enquiry here.

"One of the best family departments in London. The firm as a whole provides a "Rolls-Royce" service, with particular expertise in cases with an international/multi-jurisdictional element"

The Legal 500 UK 2020

""Kingsley Napley is an exceptional law firm, with extremely high-quality professionals and a kind and welcoming environment," enthuse appreciative clients"

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2019

"As a firm, they're absolutely top-end", enthuses a well-reputed family barrister, explaining that the lawyers at the firm "deal very well with big money and they're very commercial," and describe the team as "a go-to.""

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2019

"A ‘stellar firm with well-regarded partners and associates alike. It is known for being very experienced in both finance and children cases. The firm as a whole provides a Rolls Royce service’. It has particular expertise in cases with an international/jurisdictional element"

Legal 500 UK 2019

""proper all-round service", "they are really good solicitors and engage with clients on a human level." "They are a team who are genuinely committed to their clients and really care about delivering justice for them""

Chambers UK 2019, 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 2018

WHAT IS SAID ABOUT US

""As a firm, they're absolutely top-end," enthuses a well-reputed family barrister, explaining that the lawyers at the firm "deal very well with big money and they're very commercial," and describe the team as "a go-to." "Kingsley Napley is an exceptional law firm, with extremely high-quality professionals and a kind and welcoming environment," enthuse appreciative clients."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2019

"Kingsley Napley "has a very strong family department," say market insiders, who recognise the team's strength in advising high net worth clients on an array of family law matters. The team represents individuals in domestic and multi-jurisdictional marital agreement and financial disputes. Clients also benefit from in-house expertise in child relocation and surrogacy issues."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2019

"Provides expertise in international work, particularly in relation to child abduction, surrogacy and maintenance. Frequently involved in cases spanning Europe, the Middle East and America. Strong reputation for engaging in cases with concurrent criminal proceedings, aided by in-house strength in criminal law."

Chambers UK 2019, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession

"I think they are excellent if cases involve an international element," says a source; "very efficient, provide comprehensive advice – sensible lawyers and a trusted set of hands."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2018

"Well-balanced practice with a strong offering on both the high-value financial remedy and sensitive children sides of private family law"

Legal 500 UK 2017, The Clients Guide to Law Firms

"They made a very difficult time much easier to deal with. Their professionalism kept me sane and focused on the outcome I needed"

Client

"All have been excellent and have shown great diligence and practicality, along with sensitivity during a very difficult time in my life"

Client

"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

"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

+44 (0)20 7814 1200

Contact the team

Charlotte Bradley

Partner and Head of Department

View full team

Read the Family Law Blog

A very strong family team taking on top-level cases, both children and finance related. Thorough, detailed preparation, excellent advice to clients, formidable representation in contested proceedings."

Legal 500 UK 2021

"Kingsley Napley "has a very strong family department," say market insiders, who recognise the team's strength in advising high net worth clients on an array of family law matters."

Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2019

"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

"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

"All have been excellent and have shown great diligence and practicality, along with sensitivity during a very difficult time in my life"

Client

Tweets by Kingsley Napley's family team

Services

Considering Divorce or Separation

Considering divorce or separation is stressful and affects people in different ways. Our experienced family lawyers will listen and discuss the options with you.

Financial Arrangements

The majority of divorces and separations involve consideration of the family's financial arrangements. Our lawyers are highly regarded for their ability to give practical and clear advice on the financial implications of relationship breakdown.

Thinking about the Children

We have considerable expertise in guiding our clients through the legal issues affecting their children and placing them at the centre of all decisions made following separation to minimise any potential distress for them.

International Family Law

Whether you or your partner live abroad or hold assets abroad. We can assist with immigration questions, property, succession and tax planning.

Thinking of Relocating

Our experienced lawyers can advise you on your relocation plans, ensuring that your move overseas, to the UK, or within the UK, is well planned.

Cohabitants and Unmarried Families

The impact of separation on the ownership of property and other assets is a complex area of law. Our family and property litigation lawyers are highly experienced in relation to property disputes between unmarried couples.

Alternatives to Litigation

Going through litigation and the court system is not always the best route for everyone faced with divorce or separation. We can guide you through alternatives to going through court such as mediation, collaborative law and arbitration.

Getting Married

Couples marrying or entering a civil partnership often don’t consider how their legal obligations will change. We can prepare agreements to provide them with certainty about their financial rights and obligations if the relationship should break down.

Moving in with Your Partner

More couples than ever are living together before marriage or choosing not to marry at all. We have experience in advising clients on the agreements they enter into before they live together.

Using a Surrogate

We're experienced in advising on all aspects of international and domestic surrogacy arrangements.

Domestic Abuse and Harassment

We are experienced in dealing with matters of harassment and domestic abuse arising in the context of a family dispute and can bring in support from colleagues in our criminal team if needed.

Working with You and Other Professionals

We will work with you in ways that best suit your needs. That may involve us guiding and advising you in the background or representing you and fighting your corner in the courts. If required, we will call on additional support from other trusted professionals

Farming and Divorce

Farming divorces are unique, fact specific and often involve highly charged emotions - and it is essential that the correct strategy is adopted from the outset. We have considerable experience of farming divorces and the difficulties these cases can present.

Pensions and Divorce

Pensions are often the most valuable but also the most complicated asset to value and access during divorce proceedings. Our team of family and divorce lawyers has a wealth of experience dealing with pensions on divorce.

Reviewing a Financial Settlement after Divorce

After a divorce, there may be circumstances in which it is appropriate to revisit the terms of the financial settlement. We can review your settlement in light of the circumstances and advise you on whether changing or challenging the court order may be possible.

Interveners and Third Party Claims on Divorce

When couples divide assets as part of financial proceedings on divorce, others may lay a claim to or have a vested interest in parts of these assets. If one of the parties challenges that interest, then the third party may be required to intervene in the proceedings. It is essential that the correct strategy is adopted from the outset in these cases, which is something our team prides itself on getting absolutely right.

Trusts and Divorce

We have a wealth of experience dealing with complex trust structures in the context of divorce proceedings, which can present a number of difficulties that may involve questions of enforcement, trustee cooperation or the involvement of other beneficiaries.