Business Details
22 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Family Law Solicitors in London
Shortlands Law Solicitors is a boutique family law firm with over two decades of experience guiding clients through complex legal matters. Established in 2004, we specialise in divorce, separation, financial settlements, and child arrangements, serving high-net-worth individuals and families. Our team of expert solicitors provides tailored solutions, prioritising mediation and collaboration to resolve disputes amicably. When court intervention is necessary, we advocate fiercely to protect clients' interests.With offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester, we combine local expertise with international reach. Our commitment to transparency ensures fixed fees wherever possible, and our 24/7 availability guarantees timely support during emotionally challenging periods. We pride ourselves on compassionate yet results-driven representation, as evidenced by numerous client testimonials praising our professionalism and success in complex cases.
Services
Divorce
International Divorce
Child Arrangements
Financial Settlements
Cohabitation Agreements
Pre and Postnuptial Agreements
Mediation Services
Collaborative Law
Inheritance Tax
Domestic Violence
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of specialist family law experience
- Our team includes accredited mediators and collaborative law experts
- We provide fixed fee initial consultations
- We handle complex international divorce cases
- Our solicitors are consistently praised for compassionate representation
What people say
Highly professional
Excellent service
Compassionate representation
Successful outcomes
Prompt communication
Services
Divorce
Our specialist divorce solicitors guide clients through the complete divorce process, from initial petition to final settlement. We handle contested and uncontested cases with equal expertise, ensuring compliance with UK jurisdiction requirements while protecting clients' financial and parental rights. With experience in complex international divorces, we provide strategic advice to achieve favourable outcomes while minimising emotional distress.
Child Arrangements
We specialise in creating child-focused arrangements that prioritise children's welfare during and after separation. Our solicitors negotiate custody agreements, visitation rights, and relocation permissions, always aiming to maintain positive parent-child relationships. When necessary, we represent clients in court proceedings involving abduction risks or international custody disputes, leveraging our extensive experience in cross-border family law.
Financial Settlements
Our experts handle complex financial settlements involving substantial assets, business interests, and international property portfolios. We ensure full disclosure of financial information and negotiate fair asset division while protecting clients' long-term financial security. With expertise in uncovering hidden assets, we provide strategic advice on spousal maintenance and pension sharing orders to achieve equitable outcomes.
Mediation Services
We offer accredited mediation services to resolve family disputes amicably and cost-effectively. Our mediators facilitate constructive negotiations on divorce terms, child arrangements, and financial matters, helping clients reach mutually acceptable agreements without court intervention. This approach typically reduces conflict duration by 40-60% compared to traditional litigation, preserving relationships while maintaining legal compliance.
International Divorce
Our solicitors handle complex international divorce cases involving multiple jurisdictions, cultural considerations, and transnational asset portfolios. We coordinate with foreign legal experts to ensure compliance with international treaties while protecting clients' interests in custody, property division, and jurisdictional disputes. With experience in cases spanning 30+ countries, we provide strategic guidance on the most effective legal pathways for global family law matters.
People
Shabana Walayat
Director
With over 20 years' experience, Shabana Walayat specialises in complex family law cases involving international elements and high-value assets. Recognised for her strategic courtroom approach and compassionate client representation, she has successfully handled numerous precedent-setting cases. She leads the firm's collaborative law practice and mentors junior solicitors in best practices for family dispute resolution.
Sian Whittaker
Solicitor
Sian Whittaker brings extensive expertise in financial settlements and child arrangement disputes. Known for her clear communication style, she helps clients understand complex legal processes while achieving practical solutions. She has particular experience in cases involving business asset division and relocation permissions across international borders.
Wentworth Cecil Gurney
Solicitor
Wentworth Gurney specialises in probate matters and complex inheritance disputes. His analytical approach to case preparation has proven instrumental in resolving intricate financial cases. Clients praise his ability to simplify complex legal terminology while maintaining rigorous attention to evidential detail in high-stakes litigation.
Alastair Dobbie
Solicitor
Alastair Dobbie focuses on employment law and unfair dismissal cases. With a background in commercial litigation, he provides strategic advice on workplace rights and contractual disputes. His collaborative approach has successfully resolved numerous cases through negotiation rather than court proceedings.
Carolyn Hanes
Solicitor
Carolyn Hanes specialises in domestic violence cases and emergency protective orders. Her empathetic approach combines legal expertise with practical support for vulnerable clients. She has developed partnerships with specialist support organisations to provide comprehensive assistance beyond legal representation.
Questions
What are the grounds for divorce in the UK?
The UK recognises five grounds for divorce: adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion for two years, separation for two years with consent, or five years' separation without consent. Our solicitors help determine the most appropriate basis for your specific circumstances.
Can I get a divorce if my spouse lives abroad?
Yes, you can divorce in the UK if either party has been resident here for at least one year, or if you and your spouse are domiciled in the UK. Our international divorce specialists handle jurisdictional issues and cross-border complexities.
How long does a divorce typically take?
An uncontested divorce takes approximately 5-6 months. Complex cases involving financial disputes or child custody matters may take longer, particularly when court intervention is required to resolve contested issues.
What happens if my spouse hides assets during divorce?
We employ forensic accounting techniques and legal disclosure processes to uncover hidden assets. Full financial transparency is mandatory, and we work with specialist investigators to ensure fair asset division in complex financial settlements.
Do you offer fixed fee legal services?
Yes, we provide fixed fee initial consultations and structure costs transparently where possible. Our commitment to cost predictability ensures clients understand financial implications from the outset without compromising on quality representation.
How do you handle international child custody disputes?
Our specialists navigate Hague Convention regulations and coordinate with foreign legal experts to protect children's best interests. We focus on mediation where possible, but maintain robust court representation capabilities for complex international custody battles.
