Divorce, dissolution & separation

We begin by establishing your situation in detail and discussing clear objectives for your future. As leading divorce solicitors in London, we operate a unique team-based approach; your case is not just managed by one lawyer but benefits from the collective knowledge of a department with over 100 years of experience. We also take a holistic view, consulting with our network of external experts, including family therapists and financial advisors, early on to ensure you are supported emotionally and financially from day one.

If you and your spouse agree to the divorce, our solicitors can draft and file the application on your behalf. We work to ensure that the application is accurate, reducing the risk of disputes or delays. We handle the technical side of ending your marriage, ensuring the application is accurate to prevent unnecessary delays.

• Jurisdiction & International Issues: If you or your spouse have connections abroad, we advise on “forum shopping” to secure the most favourable jurisdiction for your financial outcome. Our International Family Law team can act quickly to secure the right forum for your case.
• Sole or Joint Applications: Under the no-fault rules, we can assist you in filing a joint application if relations are amicable, or represent you as a divorce lawyer in London if you need to file singly or respond to proceedings.

One of the most challenging aspects of divorce can be dividing your finances, especially if there are high-value assets, family businesses, or international assets involved. Our team has extensive experience in handling complex financial settlements, ensuring that your interests are protected and that you receive a fair outcome. 

Divorce does not automatically end financial claims; you need a court-approved Consent Order to achieve a “clean break.” As specialist divorce financial settlement solicitors, we ensure every asset is accounted for.

• High-Net-Worth Cases: We are experts in divorce for high income earners, regularly handling complex assets such as business shareholdings, family trusts, and international property.
• Pensions & Valuations: We routinely commission PODE (Pension on Divorce Expert) reports for funds exceeding £100,000 and work with forensic accountants to verify business values, ensuring you receive a fair settlement.

Your children’s welfare is a top priority during a divorce. The court’s starting position is that parents should agree on arrangements themselves. We provide expert child arrangement legal advice to help you create a robust Parenting Plan whether through negotiation, mediation, or collaborative law to cover day-to-day care and holidays.

• Schedule 1 Claims: For unmarried parents or cases where the paying parent is a high earner (income exceeding the CMS cap of £156,000), we assist with Schedule 1 Children Act claims to secure capital sums for housing and school fees.
• Relocation: We act quickly if you need to prevent a child from being removed from the country (abduction) or wish to relocate with them.

If you and your spouse cannot agree on key issues, our solicitors are prepared to represent you in negotiations and, if necessary, in court. We aim to resolve disputes amicably but are ready to take firm action to protect your rights.

While we strive for constructive resolution as members of Resolution, we are fully equipped to defend your position in court.

• Robust Litigation: It is a misconception that a constructive family lawyer achieves a lesser settlement. Our advice regarding legal parameters remains consistent whether in mediation or litigation.
• Contested Proceedings: We handle defended divorces and complex disputes where one party is non-compliant, hiding assets, or behaving unreasonably.

While we prioritise constructive resolution, we understand that some situations require urgent legal action. If you need to protect your financial assets, secure jurisdiction or secure child arrangements immediately, our solicitors can file emergency applications on your behalf, ensuring your interests are safeguarded.

We have the capacity to respond immediately to urgent matters to protect your assets or safety.

• Asset Protection: If there is a risk that assets may be dissipated to defeat a claim, we can attend court on an urgent basis to obtain a Section 37 Freezing Injunction.

Safety & Injunctions: We can apply for a domestic abuse injunction (Non-Molestation Order) or Occupation Order if you are at risk, ensuring your safety is prioritised alongside your legal case.

We begin by establishing a clear strategy for your separation. Unlike standard firms, we operate a team-based approach where advice on complex matters is “stress-tested” by senior solicitors to ensure it is robust. We also assess whether family mediation or other Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) methods could provide a more dignified and cost-effective solution for your family.

We assist you in preparing the necessary paperwork, ensuring that your dissolution application is complete and accurate. If both partners agree to the dissolution, you will typically not need to appear in court, allowing for a faster, less stressful process. 

We handle the technical application to the court to end your partnership formally.

• No-Fault Process: We navigate the current legislation to ensure your application is processed efficiently, reducing conflict where possible.
• Jurisdiction: If you or your partner have international connections, we advise on jurisdiction to ensure proceedings are issued in the country most favourable to your long-term interests. Our International Family Law team can assist if cross-border issues arise.

Dissolving a partnership does not automatically sever financial ties; a court-approved Consent Order is required for a “clean break.” As specialist divorce financial settlement solicitors, we ensure your future is secure.

• Full Disclosure: We manage the exchange of financial data (Form E) to ensure all assets, including pensions and business interests, are disclosed.
• Complex Assets: We routinely work with forensic accountants to value assets and commission PODE (Pension on Divorce Expert) reports for high-value pension funds, ensuring a fair division of wealth.

We provide expert child arrangement legal advice to help you agree on where your children will live and how they will spend their time.

• Parenting Plans: We support you in drafting a robust Parenting Plan that covers holidays, education, and day-to-day care.
• Schedule 1 Claims: For partners who are not married but have children, or where the paying parent is a high earner (income exceeding £156,000 pa), we can assist with Schedule 1 Children Act claims to secure capital for housing or school fees.

We help outline who will retain ownership of assets, including joint property, savings, and personal belongings. If you’ve contributed financially to or otherwise believe you have an interest in a partner’s property, we can advise you on your rights and ensure a fair settlement.

If you have children, it’s essential to agree on where they will live, who will have contact, and how financial support will be managed. Our team prioritises the well-being of your children, helping you create a parenting plan that works for everyone. 

In some cases, ongoing financial support (maintenance) may be appropriate, especially if one partner has been financially dependent during the relationship. We guide you through negotiating these terms, ensuring that your needs are protected.

Mediation allows you and your partner to discuss key issues in a neutral setting with the assistance of a trained mediator. This process can help you reach an agreement amicably, saving time, costs, and stress. 

Watch this quick video by our Family law Partner and expert mediator Victoria Rylatt to learn more about Family Mediation:

Family mediation allows you to negotiate directly with your partner in a neutral setting. Unlike a judge, the mediator does not impose a decision but helps you reach your own agreement.

• Our Expertise: We are market leaders in mediation, with accredited specialists who can guide you through the process.
• The Process: It is a flexible, cost-effective way to manage financial disclosure and agree on future arrangements. It is most suitable where there is equal bargaining power and no history of domestic abuse.

Learn more about mediation.

Our collaborative lawyers are skilled at managing high-value settlements (often involving external experts like accountants) while keeping the process dignified and solution-focused.

This method allows you to resolve disputes entirely outside of court through a series of “round-table” meetings.

• How it works: You and your partner each appoint a collaboratively trained lawyer. All four of you sign an agreement committing to resolve issues without going to court.
• Benefits: It avoids adversarial correspondence and is highly effective for complex cases such as those involving business assets or pre-nuptial agreements where you need legal support in the room but wish to maintain a constructive relationship.

Learn more about collaborative law.

One Solicitor Solution is a method of dispute resolution which works well where the parties are reasonably amicable and do not wish to spend family funds on two solicitors.

There are two ways in which one solicitor can be used by a divorcing couple:

Method 1: The solicitor acts for one of the parties but works constructively with the other

One party will usually take the lead in instructing a solicitor and the couple will decide who will form the professional relationship with the chosen solicitor.  That solicitor is not neutral and can only ever represent one of the parties.  The solicitor can give the non-represented party generic advice and help but the solicitor’s relationship with the represented party is confidential and protected by legal privilege. 

The family team at Anthony Gold accept instructions from clients on this basis and will arrange a joint first appointment where appropriate.  We are happy to provide further information to anyone interested in this scheme. 

Method 2: The solicitor will give you both the same legal advice, acting as one lawyer for one couple, and the three of you will navigate the options and record any agreement reached in a legally binding document, where appropriate.

If you have good communication with your former partner and are able to work cooperatively, we may offer you the opportunity to instruct one lawyer.

Either option may involve enlisting the support of other professionals (such as a pension advisor).

The benefit of both options is that you only pay for one lawyer although it is not suitable for all couples, particularly where there is a high level of mistrust.

Learn more about One Solicitor Solution.

Early Neutral Evaluation or ENE involves a couple seeking joint advice (on all issues or a specific issue) on an impartial basis.

That advice could be from a jointly selected solicitor or barrister about the range of outcomes a court would be likely to consider fair (ENE). The couple then decide whether to take the advice or not. This can often lead to a settlement being reached.

If you are struggling to agree on specific issues but want to avoid a full trial, Early Neutral Evaluation provides a realistic reality check.

• The Concept: An independent legal expert evaluates your dispute and indicates the likely outcome if it went to court.
• The Outcome: This objective opinion often breaks deadlocks, allowing you to restart negotiations with a clear understanding of your legal position, saving months of litigation time.

Learn more about Early Neutral Evaluation.

In the court system judges are government employees. They are under-resourced and the system is slow and expensive.

Private judges may be hired jointly by the parties. Often they are senior solicitors or barristers and some are retired judges. The parties then discharge the “judges” fee and the process can be economical compared with the court system.

Adjudication is the process in which the “judge” has and exercises authority, hearing the respective positions put forward by the parties in dispute and making a decision which will be binding on the parties if they choose family arbitration.

Alternatively, a private judge could be asked to conduct a private Family Dispute Resolution hearing (FDR) where the judge gives an early neutral evaluation (ENE) – an indication as to the likely outcome if the case proceeds to trial.

Private FDRs are suitable for both finance and children disputes. The process is increasingly popular as couples recognise the benefits of choosing their own tribunal and dealing with their case away from the court environment, making it less stressful for both parties.

Learn more about private judging.

If mediation and collaborative law are not suitable, we offer skilled negotiation to settle disputes efficiently. Arbitration is an alternative to court that provides a binding outcome. We can advise and represent you in arbitration proceedings if this is the right option for you.

As specialist arbitration solicitors, we can help you secure a binding decision without the wait for a court hearing.

• The Process: You appoint an arbitrator to act as a private judge. Their decision (the “Award”) is legally binding and enforceable, just like a court order.
• Certainty: This route guarantees a specific date for resolution and is particularly valuable for high-net-worth clients requiring privacy or for resolving discrete issues quickly.

Learn more about arbitration.

When facing the end of a marriage, civil partnership, or cohabiting relationship, it’s crucial to have expert legal support on your side. Anthony Gold Solicitors is consistently ranked among the top family law firms in the UK by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.

These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. Our family law team offers a depth of experience that is unmatched, making us the go-to firm for even the most complex and high-stakes cases. 

We excel in handling cases that involve high-value assets, international properties, and intricate financial structures. Our team is experienced in managing: 

• Financial arrangements: We excel in handling cases that involve high-value assets.
• Children arrangements: Including disputes involving abuse and substance misuse allegations, child welfare issues, and complex child arrangements including internal relocation. 
• International cases: We handle cases involving cross-border disputes, international relocation, and abduction, providing you with strategic advice for navigating different jurisdictions.

We understand that relationship breakdowns are more than just legal disputes — they involve deep emotional and financial implications that can affect your entire life. At Anthony Gold Solicitors, we take a holistic approach, considering every aspect of your situation to provide tailored advice. Our goal is to help you navigate these challenges with as little stress as possible, offering clear, empathetic guidance at every step. 

Our family law team is known for its wide-ranging expertise, which includes: 

• Divorce & financial settlements: Whether you’re dealing with a straightforward divorce or complex financial matters involving family-owned businesses, high-net-worth assets, or international properties, our solicitors have the skills to protect your interests. 

• Dissolution of civil partnerships: We offer expert guidance on ending civil partnerships, focusing on achieving fair financial settlements and amicable child arrangements. 

• Separation for cohabiting couples: If you’re separating from a partner without legal marriage or partnership status, we can advise and assist in drafting separation agreements that cover financial and childcare arrangements. 

By addressing the full spectrum of family law issues, we ensure that every client receives comprehensive support tailored to their specific needs. 

At Anthony Gold Solicitors, we believe that legal disputes should not add unnecessary conflict or stress to your life. That’s why we prioritise alternative dispute resolution methods, such as: 

• Mediation: Our team includes some of the most experienced mediators in the country, who are skilled in both traditional and hybrid mediation techniques. We focus on facilitating constructive dialogue to reach mutually agreeable solutions without the need for lengthy court battles.
• Collaborative Law: In cases where mediation isn’t suitable, our collaborative law approach allows both parties and their solicitors to work together towards a settlement. This method keeps negotiations out of court, saving time, costs, and emotional strain.
• One Solicitor Solution allows amicable couples to share one solicitor, either one acting for a single party while cooperating with the other, or one providing joint advice to both, therefore saving costs and promoting constructive resolution.
• Private Family Dispute Resolution or PFDR lets couples hire a private judge—often a senior solicitor or retired judge—for a faster, confidential, and cost-effective alternative to court, suitable for finance or children disputes and offering expert, neutral guidance.
• Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) involves a couple seeking joint advice (on all issues or a specific issue) on an impartial basis. That advice could be from a jointly selected solicitor or barrister about the range of outcomes a court would be likely to consider fair (ENE). The couple then decide whether to take the advice or not. This can often lead to a settlement being reached.
• Negotiation: If a more formal resolution is needed, we offer skilled negotiation services to ensure a fair outcome.
• Arbitration:  An alternative to court that provides you with a binding outcome in the absence of an agreement. We can advise and represent you throughout the arbitration process if this is suitable for you.