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Taking early legal advice before your spouse or partner commences divorce  proceedings in a particular jurisdiction is key, because the outcomes in England and Wales often differ significantly from those in other countries.

Where divorce proceedings are held can have a huge impact on financial claims.

Our international family lawyers specialise in complex divorce involving overseas assets and other cross-border family matters. Call 0800 422 0123 or get in touch online to book your initial confidential consultation.

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Who our international family lawyers can help

In order for the English Court to be able to deal with proceedings, you will either need to be habitually resident or domiciled in England and Wales (domicile is not necessarily the same as nationality). In cases involving children, the English Court’s jurisdiction will depend on the habitual residence of your child or children.

We have the expertise to deal with these issues, as well as with cases involving complex financial assets and structures. Our divorce and separation solicitors are accredited specialists in International and European family law, and we can also work closely with family law specialists across the world wherever necessary.

How our solicitors can help

As more people live or get married abroad, we are often called upon to provide specialist legal advice on a variety of international family law issues, including:

  • Divorce and financial matters for those living in England, Wales or abroad, who meet the jurisdictional criteria to divorce here
  • International relocation, child maintenance and contact arrangements for children
  • International pre- and post-nuptial agreements
  • Foreign assets, offshore trusts or international business interests on divorce

Why choose our international family lawyers?

  • Accredited specialists in International and European family law
  • Highly ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK
  • Access to a network of family law specialists around the world
  • Highly competitive fees and a tight control on costs
  • Members of Resolution and will always take a collaborative approach in the first instance, even across borders
  • Firm-wide expertise to advise on complex financial or legal matters

Recognition for our solicitors

“Clarke Willmott has a significant regional presence and an excellent reputation for handling more complex and high-value financial remedy work.” Chambers 2026
“One of the best firms in the region with a reputation for delivering a high-quality service. Real strength in depth and one of the go to firms for HNW individuals. Always well prepared and always willing to go above and beyond for their clients.” Legal 500 2026
“Clarke Willmott have real strength in depth. I needed to use several departments in what was a complex divorce, and their service throughout was highly bespoke and client-centred.” Chambers 2026
“I have met the team a few times and they are very friendly and approachable in my capacity as a mediator and a solicitor. They are very knowledgeable and experts in their field, dealing with high net worth and complex cases. Easy to talk to and able to pick up the phone and have a discussion about the case on a collaborative basis.” Legal 500 2026

Frequently asked questions on International divorce

Yes, if you do not intend to remain in Finland then you can get divorced in England, provided either you or your wife is domiciled in England. However, if only one of you is domiciled in England, then any divorce proceedings issued in Finland will take priority over proceedings issued in England.

Yes, you can get divorced in England if your husband is domiciled in England. However, you should take legal advice about the merits of divorce proceedings in England if there are no assets in England, or if any financial orders would have to be enforced abroad.

If either you or your husband are domiciled in England and Wales, then you can bring a financial claim in England. You would also be able to bring a claim if you had a property in England and Wales which at some point had been the matrimonial home. If you were to return to England and live here for one year, then you would be able to bring a financial claim here. You would need to take legal advice about the merits of bringing a claim in England after a foreign divorce.

My wife and I are South African nationals and entered into an prenuptial agreement in South Africa before we got married. Is this agreement enforceable in England in the event of a future divorce there?

International child custody, re-location and maintenance

If your daughter is habitually resident in England, then you will need the permission of the English Court in order to take your daughter to Germany permanently.

Yes, you can seek an order against your husband either for a lump sum or for periodical payments. This order will be enforced in the United States. Alternatively, you can ask the English Authorities to transmit your claim to the United States and the US Authorities will consider your claim and can make orders against your husband as appropriate.

If you have a residence order in your favour, then you will require your husband’s consent to take the children abroad for more than four weeks. Even if you intend to take them for less than four weeks, it is good practice to get the other parent’s permission before you take children abroad.

Speak to an international family lawyer today

Call 0800 422 0123 or get in touch online to arrange a confidential consultation with one of our international family lawyers based in Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.

Your key contacts

Email Rayner Grice
Rayner Grice photo

Rayner Grice

Partner

Birmingham
Rayner advises on the issues that arise for an individual following the breakdown of a relationship in relation to divorce/civil partnership dissolution, their financial affairs and their children along with having specialist expertise in cases involving domestic abuse with a particular focus on those involving controlling and coercive behaviour.
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Email Adam Maguire
Adam Maguire - Divorce & Family Lawyer - Birmingham

Adam Maguire

Partner

Birmingham
Adam advises clients regarding all aspects of private family law including cohabitation, separation, divorce and related financial issues, disputes concerning children and nuptial agreements.
View profile for Adam Maguire >
Email Clare Webb
Clare Webb - Family Solicitor - Bristol

Clare Webb

Partner

Bristol
Clare has built her practice with a commitment to helping her clients resolve their issues in a constructive and conciliatory way. In doing so, she will always have regard to the long-term hopes and aspirations for the family, whilst of course protecting her client’s interest.
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Email Philippa Yeo
Philippa Yeo - Family Solicitor - Bristol

Philippa Yeo

Partner

Bristol
Philippa is committed to helping couples navigate all aspects of the legal process on the breakdown of their relationship in a pragmatic, collaborative and family-focused way including supporting couples to reach arrangements for their children and achieve healthy future co-parenting relationships.
View profile for Philippa Yeo >

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