Case Studies

After obtaining a Bachelors and Masters degree at university, Sophie went on to obtain a distinction in family law at the College of Law in London. Sophie trained at and worked for Goodman Ray Solicitors, a niche specialist family law firm in London, for five years before joining Expatriate Law in Dubai. Continue reading....

Sonny qualified to practice as a solicitor in England & Wales in 2006. Before joining Expatriate Law in 2014, Sonny trained and practised exclusively in Legal 500 rated central London law firms where he consistently achieved outstanding results for his clientele of professionals and entrepreneurs. Sonny has 12 years’ experience working with (or successfully acting against) the leading lawyers in London’s best family law teams. Although based in central London throughout the earlier years of his career, Sonny was instructed by clients who instructed him remotely from locations around the world. It was Sonny’s record of success in contested jurisdiction cases and his interest in cross-border family law which led to him joining Expatriate Law. From 2014 to 2016 Sonny was seconded by Expatriate Law to work within Al Rowaad Advocates in Dubai. During that time Sonny worked closely with local UAE lawyers and Advocates and advised British expats in respect of the interaction between English law and UAE law. Sonny is currently based in the London office of Expatriate Law where he acts for British expatriates worldwide and conducts their family proceedings through the English courts. Throughout his career, Sonny has represented clients based in or with financial interests or connections to UK, Australia, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Canada, Cape Verde, Cyprus, Dubai, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Luxembourg, Mauritius, New Zealand, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa and USA. Sonny has extensive experience dealing with the following matters: high net worth divorces, jurisdiction – domicile of origin and the acquisition or loss of a domicile of choice, choice of forum , financial provision after overseas divorce, recognition of foreign marriages and divorces, cross-border enforcement of financial orders, negotiating and drafting multiple jurisdiction prenuptial postnuptial and separation agreements, the relocation of children across international borders. Sonny is a solutions-driven negotiator and is highly motivated by a desire to help his clients emerge from the legal process with their finances and their dignity intact – particularly where there are children involved. However, if reasonable agreement cannot be reached Sonny has extensive experience of conducting litigation in the London courts.

Lauren was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 2008 and has worked as a family lawyer in London, Johannesburg and Dubai. She has significant experience dealing with expatriate family law matters particularly those involving English and South African law issues and is now based in London. Lauren originally qualified as a corporate lawyer at the international law firm SJ Berwin LLP, before deciding to pursue a career in family law. In November 2009 she joined Camilla Baldwin, a specialist family law firm, where she worked until she moved to South Africa in December 2012. During her time at Camilla Baldwin, Lauren managed her own cases and developed expertise in areas including financial settlements on divorce, financial provision for children of unmarried families and child arrangement matters including the relocation of children. In May 2013 Lauren joined Clarks Attorneys, a leading family law firm in South Africa, as an international legal consultant. While working for Clarks Attorneys, Lauren gained considerable experience in South African family law, acting on a range of cases with different matrimonial property systems as well as on a range of children matters, the majority of which had an international element. She acted for South Africans, expatriates living in South Africa, as well as for English and South Africa clients living in the UK with reason to pursue matters through the South African courts. She also founded and managed the Johannesburg Family Law Conference in its first few years. The Johannesburg conference is now in its fifth year, attracting attendees from all over South Africa as well as high profile international speakers. In February 2016 Lauren moved to Dubai, where she continued to consult for Clark s Attorneys, before returning to England in May 2017. Lauren is passionate about family law and strives to go the extra mile for her clients. For matters involving British expatriates in South Africa or South African expatriates in England or for any other enquiry, please contact Lauren by emailing her at [email protected]. Lauren is able to offer rounded family law advice on the pros and cons of English and South African jurisdictions for divorce and other family law applications, and if necessary will work closely with specialist South African family lawyers.

David is a highly experienced litigation lawyer, having qualified as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales in 1986. He has run his own successful and busy London litigation practice for 21 years. David was formerly a member of the Law Society Family Law panel and spent many years in the accountancy profession before entering the law. Continue reading....

Hero was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales in 2000. Hero has previously worked as a family lawyer at Dawsons and KSB law based in Lincoln’s Inn, London. Her experience includes high net worth financial settlements on divorce, child arrangement matters, child abduction and jurisdiction disputes. She has successfully represented a number of clients in applications for the relocation of children. Hero has particular experience in applications for financial provision for children of unmarried families, where the father is British. Having lived in Brazil for a number of years, Hero is now based in London and advises British expatriates in the region on all aspects of family law. Hero is able to offer rounded family law advice on the pros and cons of English and Brazilian jurisdictions for divorce and other family law applications, by working closely with specialist Brazilian family lawyers. A qualified family mediator, Hero’s clients appreciate her conciliatory approach to resolving family disputes, while constantly striving for the best possible outcome for her client. Hero also conducts family mediations via video conference which can work well when one or both parties are based abroad. For further information about mediation or for international family law advice, please contact Hero by emailing her at [email protected].

Alexandra has been accredited by Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association ) as a specialist in International Family Law and Advanced Financial Provision. Alexandra has solely practised in family law since being admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales in 2004. She specialises in divorces with an international element and ancillary relief (financial settlements on divorce). Continue reading....

Byron has been shortlisted as 'International Family Lawyer of the Year' within Jordan's prestigious Family Law awards, to be held in London in November. Byron is ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a leading barrister in divorce and matrimonial finance. He has been noted in the Legal 500 for his 'first-rate legal knowledge', for his especial expertise on trusts and cohabitation issues and also for his 'robust style which clients love'. In Chambers and Partners he has recently been described as 'a very intelligent and talented advocate' who always 'goes the extra mile for his clients'. It is considered in the directory that 'he will go on to achieve great things'. Byron is a family law specialist. His work covers the range of private client situations, but his particular expertise is in matrimonial finance cases. His broader practice encompasses Inheritance Act cases, disputes about children, proceedings where there are insolvency issues, cohabitation disputes and trusts. Byron appears as an advocate in courts from the County Court through to the Court of Appeal. He is frequently retained in an advisory capacity, especially with regard to Inheritance Act and Trust of Land matters. He recognises different people assimilate information in different ways: some clients want an issue dissected in a written opinion; others prefer the interaction that comes from a face-to-face conference. For Byron, the approach taken is always client-led – it is the one with which his client is most at ease, which best helps them take control of their case and feel empowered in working towards its resolution. Byron has been seconded by Expatriate Law to work within Al Rowaad Advocates in Dubai, where he will advise British expatriates in the region.