Regardless of your citizenship, if you are currently resident in England or Wales or are domiciled here, it may be in your interests to file for divorce under UK law. Our experts are here to guide you through this complex area of international law.
International divorce experts
Slater and Gordon's experienced divorce lawyers have the understanding and the expertise you need. Call us now on 0330 041 5869 or contact us and we will call you.
While you can't simply pick and choose which country in the world is best for your divorce, there are certain key criteria that can enable our international divorce lawyers to act for you under the English legal system:
Both you and your spouse are residents in England or Wales
Either you or your spouse lives in England or Wales and has done for at least six months
Either party is domiciled in England or Wales: this means that even if you are currently living abroad, your permanent home is in England or Wales
Having said that, the question of which legal system has jurisdiction in an international divorce case isn't always straightforward, even where you meet the criteria above.
For example, if a couple are domiciled in England and Wales but live abroad, one of them could issue divorce proceedings in the country where they are residing. The usual rule is that the country where the first petition is issued is the country that will deal with the divorce proceedings. However, in some cases, it may still be possible to issue divorce proceedings in England and Wales even if divorce proceedings have been issued abroad. It is always best to obtain legal advice as this area is complex
Does jurisdiction matter for international divorces?
Different international jurisdictions have different approaches to things such as spousal maintenance. It's therefore essential to take expert legal advice as soon as possible if divorce is a possibility and there's an international element.
Failing to start proceedings of your own in the UK before they are filed in another country could leave you at the mercy of a far less advantageous legal system. In cases like this, it really is important to act as quickly as possible by contacting our international divorce lawyer as soon as you decide to seek a divorce, or realise that your spouse is considering doing so. Call us now on 0330 041 5869 or contact us and we will call you.
Why choose us for an international divorce?
International divorce can be fraught with complexity, due largely to the different laws and remedies that exist across different jurisdictions. Whether you are based in Dubai, the UAE, Spain or anywhere else in the world, you need to take advice from an expert international divorce lawyer at the first opportunity. We offer a fixed fee consultation of 30 minutes for £150. Call our divorce lawyers on 0330 041 5869 or contact us and we will call you.
The best solicitors to fight your corner! I struggled with a nasty unmarried couple dispute alone for over a year before biting the bullet and paying for proper legal support. I had one previous experience with a cheaper less well known solicitor and I just felt completely let down and not a priority. But with S&G - from start to finish, I felt supported 100% and valued.
B L (family and personal matters case)
Matters were dealt with efficiently with a view to keeping costs to a realistic level and I am well satisfied with the final settlement she managed to achieve on my behalf.
J B (family and personal matters case)
For anyone needing help with family issues I could not recommend Slater and Gordon highly enough. I always had the feeling I had the best looking after my interests and they certainly didn't disappoint.
C I (family and personal matters case)
The best solicitors to fight your corner! I struggled with a nasty unmarried couple dispute alone for over a year before biting the bullet and paying for proper legal support. I had one previous experience with a cheaper less well known solicitor and I just felt completely let down and not a priority. But with S&G - from start to finish, I felt supported 100% and valued. B L (family and personal matters case)