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International Divorce

Know Your Rights on International Divorce

  • Must I divorce in the courts here and if so what laws will apply?
  • Will I be able to stay here if we separate?
  • How long will it take?
  • What am I entitled to?
  • How will I manage financially?
  • Will I have to attend court?

These are just some of the questions that may concern a spouse on separation. It is a common misconception that expatriates can only divorce within the court system of the country in which they live, or the place in which they were married. This is not necessarily the case. British expatriates that we advise can usually divorce in their home country, or their spouse’s home country, without even attending court. Our lawyers will advise you which ‘jurisdiction’ is the most appropriate for you in terms of cost, timescale and outcome.

It is important to seek early advice from a lawyer before entering in to settlement discussions with your husband or wife. A solicitor will be able to advise you of your financial entitlement, and the likely outcome of a divorce in one country as opposed to another. This information is vitally important at an early stage, to point you in the right direction.

Be aware that the outcome of divorcing in one jurisdiction can be vastly different to another; legal advice will allow you to take control of that decision.

We’re By Your Side

Our experienced lawyers will carry out the divorce process on your behalf, advising you at each step, to ensure that you and your spouse can move on as soon as possible.

An uncontested divorce costs from £1750 ($2600/ 10,000AED), inclusive of all court fees and other expenses, however, we offer a range of services in relation to divorce, depending on your needs and the complexity of the case, from £270 ($410/ 1600 AED). These are as follows:

  • ‘Dip in and out’ online divorce service for individuals to obtain ad hoc advice where needed
  • DIY divorce package with advice, to allow you to conduct the divorce yourself
  • Fixed fee uncontested divorce
  • Divorce advice package (for one-off advice via Zoom/Skype or telephone)
  • Contested divorce advice and representation
  • Jurisdiction planning and strategy
  • Jurisdiction disputes and stopping foreign proceedings

We specialise in divorce for expatriates worldwide, and so have efficient systems for advising clients overseas via Zoom, Skype, telephone, video conferencing or in person. Request a call back today from a solicitor to discuss your options.

International Divorce

Our team of English lawyers are specialists in international divorce and family law, conducting divorces for expatriates through the UK courts. We are proud to have won a number of legal awards including ‘Excellence in Family Law’ from Corporate Livewire, ‘Best Expatriate Family Lawyers’ in the Middle East Business Awards 2015, ‘Client choice family law award in the UAE’ from Legal’s Finest, ‘Best lawyers for advanced financial provision’ in the AI legal awards and we were ‘Highly Commended’ in the prestigious Law Society Awards in 2019 in the category of International Law.

We advise many hundreds of British expatriates on family law matters each year. Our clients reside across the world, but in particular in expatriate hubs in the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman), in Africa (especially Kenya and Nigeria), and Asia (mostly in Singapore, China, Brunei and Thailand).

Our lawyers advise on a range of UK family law issues involving expats, from the separation of multi-national couples to the safe recovery of abducted children. Our clients are reassured by our team’s international experience and training, together with our local knowledge of issues affecting expatriates.

Due to the specialist nature of our work, our lawyers have a deeper understanding and practical experience of jurisdictional rules, divorce strategy, enforcement, recognition of orders and other issues that feature within expatriate divorce and family law matters.

We have a good relationship with leading barrister’s chambers in London, to ensure our client’s advocacy needs are met if court proceedings are required.

Alexandra Tribe is recognised by her peers as a leading adviser on Sharia and Islamic family laws. She has acted for a range of Muslim clients with cases involving Islamic marriage contracts, dowry claims, the recognition of Islamic marriages and divorces by Talaq. She advises on the overlap between Sharia and English family laws, particularly for clients residing in or with links to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Pakistan.

Please see above for our range of expertise, or type the topic you require in to the search box to find useful and informative articles on a range of legal issues. To begin, read our ‘top tips’ for divorce, our ‘beginner’s guide’, our ‘Divorce Dictionary’ or our answers to ‘frequently asked questions’.

Divorce in England

Our firm specialises in international divorce for expatriates. We advise on the appropriate ‘jurisdiction‘ for divorce, in other words which courts may accept a divorce from an expatriate living or moving abroad.

Many British expatriates are not aware that they can divorce simply and inexpensively through the English courts, without returning home. The process can be dealt with on paper, without the requirement to attend court, in as little as 5 months. Divorcing through the English courts can take away the fear and uncertainty of divorcing in an international jurisdiction. A divorce through the English courts usually entitles the court to additionally make financial orders for example for maintenance or division of property. Such orders may not be possible in the expatriate jurisdiction.

England is notoriously known as the ‘divorce capital’ of the world, as a result of the generous financial awards made for wives, including lengthy periods of spousal support. International divorce can be complex, and an inaccurate jurisdiction plea in a divorce petition can have detrimental effect on the financial award one party may receive. Our lawyers are specialists in this field to ensure each client receives the best possible outcome.

Our experienced lawyers will carry out the divorce process on your behalf, advising you at each step, to ensure that you and your spouse can move on as soon as possible.

Contact details

Question, comment or concern? Our contact form is the best way to get in touch with a member of our team.

Expatriate Law Ltd.

Expatriate Law Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No 623831

5th Floor, 20 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7AN

Tel: (+44) 20 3096 7169
Fax: (+44) 808 280 0130
Email: info@expatriatelaw.com

Client Testimonials

To read more testimonials please visit our client references page.