-
Family Lawyers
Going through a relationship breakdown can be incredibly tough. And when it involves children or financial issues it can be even more challenging.
That is why it is essential to plan for the future to ensure that you and your loved ones are taken care of.
Our work is not just about what happens once a relationship, be it marriage, civil partnership or unmarried cohabitation, breaks down. It is becoming increasingly important to plan for the future and we can advise you, your family and trustees on a wide range of relationship agreements and wealth preservation strategies.
If you need assistance with fertility treatment, surrogacy, or adoption, we can help you navigate the legal issues that may arise, making your journey to parenthood smoother.
Our family lawyers
Our approach is both humane and pragmatic, catering to the needs of people with complex lives. Our clients are often from international families, and they possess significant assets or earnings. With our vast experience, we specialise in representing high-profile individuals who are often in the public eye.
Our family lawyers are leaders in their field. We are top-ranked in the UK and internationally, and have been involved in many of the leading cases. We are one of the largest and longest-established family law teams in the world, with unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise.
We have pioneered a cross-disciplinary approach to family law, and work alongside our Firm’s experts in tax and trusts, trust disputes, corporate law, immigration, property disputes, reputation management and other areas of law to provide you with a smart and bespoke service that meets your needs.
Flexibility is key to our approach. With leading family mediation and arbitration practices, as well as collaboratively trained lawyers, we always recommend innovative ways to resolve disputes.
While litigation may be the last resort, we protect your interests fiercely and successfully when court proceedings become necessary. We are experts in handling the most challenging and complex litigation and have acted in many leading family law cases. You can find our reported cases listed here.
We will always give you clear, realistic advice. We tell you what you need to know, even if it may not be what you want to hear. We listen to your concerns and priorities and help you find the best solution for you, no matter the circumstances. We are on your side.
We have family law specialists in our London, Guildford, Geneva and Hong Kong offices, and we regularly advise on international family law issues involving other jurisdictions around the world.
Our family law services
Industry recognition for our family lawyers
The team is unparalleled in capability; it is absolutely top-flight. The firm is, rightly, incredibly well regarded within the industry. The team benefits enormously from really slick, in-house collaboration, in terms of commercial and wealth planning advice and input.
They are first-class, up there with the best firms in the field.
Every member of the team is exceptional and incredibly efficient. The service provided is flawless and every associate and partner has incredible legal knowledge. They also offer incredible kindness and understanding to clients - empathy is a skill that cannot be taught but is essential in family law and CRS have it in abundance.
The family department at CRS is unquestionably top-flight. Each member of the team with whom I've worked is unwaveringly impressive in terms of technical knowledge and commercial decision-making
Charles Russell Speechlys has a depth of expertise that clients really benefit from.
A stellar team with a depth of experience and skill which is second to none. The team is particularly strong in international children disputes and many of their clients are international.
Membership
Connecting you with our membership of 6,500 family law professionals
Our awards
Meet our family lawyers
Our family law services
Divorce & financial settlements
Our family law specialists give clear advice on all financial aspects of divorce.
Children & Parental Disputes
We are well positioned to advise you on the best options for your children’s particular circumstances.
International Family Law
No matter where you are based, our approach is supportive with a fast turnaround time where required.
Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements
We are recognised as being experts in the field of negotiating and drafting marital agreements.
Unmarried couples, cohabitation & financial claims for children
Our role is to advise you on how to obtain the best outcome, irrespective of your situation
Family Mediation, Arbitration & Dispute Resolution
We advise on and offer several forms of dispute resolution, with each having their own merits.
Parentage, Fertility Law & Surrogacy
We care about families in all their forms. Problematically for families, the law on parentage does not join up internationally.
Adoption
We help parents adopting children across borders, including advising on the cross-border recognition of adoption orders.
Case studies
Securing equal division of significant assets for our clients
We were very pleased to act for a wife in securing 50% of the family’s assets after her divorce, with a value of over £140m.
Delivering an integrated service to support an international family with varied business interests
Advised a global family on intergenerational asset transition, offering strategic guidance on UK hotels, estates, and tax planning.
Subscribe to our latest insights
Get the latest Family updates and insights straight to your inbox.
More family articles
-
Stéphane de Lassus quoted in Décideurs Patrimoine on the importance of structured family dialogue for succession planning
Stéphane de Lassus
In the Press
-
Hilde Braaten Resseth writes for Family Law Journal comparing parental responsibility laws in Norway, England and Wales
Hilde Braaten Resseth
In the Press
-
Family Law Journal features Jamie Kennaugh, Hanh Nguyen, Francesca Heath-Clarke, Charlotte Posnansky, and Daniel Staunton on the interplay between family and insolvency law
Hanh Nguyen
In the Press
-
Beyond the Feed: Protecting Children’s Mental Health in Family Proceedings
Jessica Dawkins
Quick Reads
-
When the Jellicle Ball Ends: Navigating Pet Ownership on Divorce
Cara Fung
Quick Reads
-
-
Family Investment Companies Explained: How Control Shapes Succession Planning
Edward Robinson
Quick Reads
-
Maria Cristiana Felisi writes for WeWealth on international couples and Italian matrimonial property regimes
Maria Cristiana Felisi
In the Press
-
QICCA Conciliation Rules 2026 - scope, confidentiality and process at a glance
Dalal Alhouti
Quick Reads
-
The UK Supreme Court to consider whether adoption orders can be set-aside on the basis of welfare grounds
Michael Wells-Greco
Quick Reads
-
The Financial Times quotes Miranda Fisher on the rise in arbitration for divorces in England and Wales
Miranda Fisher
In the Press
-
Family Investment Companies: family values, succession and wealth stewardship
Edward Robinson
Quick Reads
-
Through the looking glass - transparency in the family courts (reprised).
Charlotte Posnansky
Quick Reads
-
-
-
-
A Family Lawyer’s guide to five of the top most Googled Family Law questions in England and Wales relating to children
Hannah Owen
Quick Reads
-
IFA Magazine, eprivateclient and Today's Family Lawyer quote Sarah Jane Boon on the concept of 'divorce day'
Sarah Jane Boon
In the Press
-
Katherine Dennis, Isobel Asti and Hana Bibi write for Family Law Journal on the impact of UK family visa rules on families
Isobel Asti
In the Press
-
Navigating the Child Maintenance Service - Frequently Asked Questions
Hannah Owen
Quick Reads