Divorce and Civil Partnership Dissolution
A divorce or dissolution, which brings a marriage or civil partnership to an end, is a serious step to take and can have a significant impact on all the members of a family, including the children. When a relationship runs into difficulties most parties consider the full range of options, including whether there is any possibility of reconciliation (which can be explored with the help of experienced professionals such as Relate or other family consultants), separation, perhaps on a trial basis , and divorce or dissolution.
If you wish to seek a divorce or dissolution we will advise you on the grounds and the procedure to be followed. Unless the divorce or dissolution is defended, it is essentially an administrative procedure and is dealt with separately from any proceedings which may be necessary relating to finances or children. We will prepare the necessary paperwork for you and guide you through the process. We will normally do this in accordance with the relevant Law Society Protocol which provides that it is good practice to notify the other party in advance of the intention to issue proceedings and to try and agree the wording. The purpose of doing it this way is to try and reduce hostility as much as possible.
However where there are international elements to the divorce or dissolution it may not be possible to comply with the Protocol. For example, if one or other of the parties was born abroad, the parties have lived abroad or have even spent significant parts of the year in a holiday home overseas, it is possible that the courts of another country might have jurisdiction over the divorce. Where there are competing jurisdictions we will give you detailed advice, often in conjunction with our network of contacts in family law practices overseas, so that you can make an informed decision as to where you would like to proceed. In these circumstances it may be important to act quickly and unilaterally to secure the jurisdiction of your choice.
