International Family Lawyers

When international couples are separating, or getting a divorce, there can be various complex questions that need to be addressed. For instance, determining where the divorce proceedings should take place, deciding where the children should live, and evaluating and fairly dividing worldwide assets.

In such cases it is essential to quickly understand the jurisdictional and other cross-border considerations as their impact on the outcome may be significant.

In international cases, family situations may develop that require immediate attention. In these situations, knowledge, experience and the ability to act quickly can often determine the outcome of the case. We can assist you with a fast turnaround and a supportive approach, no matter where you are based. We are well-known for having a vast and extensive global network, which includes our own international offices across the UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US. We closely collaborate with our affiliates around the world to achieve the best possible results for you and your family with speed and efficiency.

Our international family law expertise

Our large and knowledgeable team, of whom nine are fellows of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, have extensive experience in dealing with the most difficult international cases. Members of the team speak a variety of different languages and have specialisms in cases involving a broad range of countries around the world. We regularly work in conjunction with our international trust litigation and commercial dispute resolution teams providing a comprehensive service for our clients.

It is not only international family litigation in which we excel; we can also provide you with the best advice in protecting your assets globally, working alongside our award winning tax, trust and succession law team. If you are a global family based in London, or even with a foothold in England and Wales, it may be sensible to put in place pre- and post-nuptial agreements in different countries to protect your property and assets. We have the expertise to advise on how to implement these agreements, taking into consideration the impact of any country-specific laws and where necessary co-ordinating lawyers in other jurisdictions. Our aim is to protect your property and interests wherever they are located and to take preventative action where possible to avoid the risk of litigation in the future.

Issues regarding trusts and foundations in family cases

A significant part of our work involves managing assets located in multiple jurisdictions, often held in offshore private wealth structures. We act for trustees, foundation boards, beneficiaries, settlors, heirs, creditors, divorcing spouses and others. Our approach is discrete and, in the event of a conflict, we can draw upon our mediation and alternative dispute resolution skillset where appropriate to guide trustees and foundation boards through a court or settlement process.

We can also draw on our extensive international expertise in succession, trust and tax law matters. We frequently collaborate with our clients’ other professional advisers throughout the world and are skilled at co-ordinating worldwide litigation.