Family Solicitors Camden

Osbornes Law is a London law firm with offices in Camden and Hampstead. Our family law team is ranked in Chambers UK and Legal 500 and holds membership with Resolution, the professional body for family lawyers committed to a constructive, non-confrontational approach.

We act for clients across Camden, Kentish Town, Primrose Hill, Belsize Park, Gospel Oak, Tufnell Park, and the surrounding area.

Arrangements for children

When parents separate, agreeing on where children will live and how much time they will spend with each parent is often the most pressing concern.

We will help you reach arrangements that work in your children’s best interests, whether through negotiation, mediation, or, where necessary, court proceedings. We advise on:

• Child arrangement orders, which set out where children live and when they spend time with each parent
• Specific issue orders, for decisions about education, medical treatment, or a child’s name
• Prohibited steps orders, to prevent a particular action being taken by the other parent
• Applications to relocate within the UK or abroad with children

Where parents can reach agreement without going to court, we will help you formalise those arrangements in a consent order. This gives both parents legal certainty without the cost and stress of contested proceedings.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

A prenuptial agreement sets out how assets should be divided if a marriage breaks down. While not automatically binding in England and Wales, courts now give them significant weight where both parties received independent legal advice and entered into the agreement freely.

Postnuptial agreements serve the same purpose but are entered into after the marriage. Both are particularly useful where one party has significant pre-marital assets, business interests, or an inheritance they want to protect.

We advise on drafting, reviewing, and negotiating both types of agreement.

Cohabitation disputes and agreements

Unmarried cohabiting couples do not have the same legal rights as married couples when a relationship ends. Without a cohabitation agreement, disputes over property, finances, and children can be difficult and expensive to resolve.

We advise cohabiting couples on:

• Cohabitation agreements that set out each party’s financial rights and responsibilities
• Property disputes, including claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) where ownership is disputed
• Financial claims relating to children under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989

If you are moving in with a partner, or if your relationship has broken down and you are unsure where you stand, our solicitors can advise you on your rights.

Civil partnership dissolution and legal advice

Civil partners have broadly the same legal rights as married couples on civil partnership dissolution. We advise on all aspects of civil partnership dissolution, including financial settlements, arrangements for children, and any property issues that arise.

We also advise same-sex couples on marriage, prenuptial agreements, and their legal position as cohabitees if they have not formalised their relationship.

Family mediation

Family mediation allows separating couples to resolve disputes with the help of a neutral third party, rather than through the courts. Since March 2024, most people are required to consider mediation or another form of non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) before applying to court in family matters.

Our solicitors can advise you on whether mediation is appropriate in your situation, prepare you for the process, and help you turn any agreement reached into a binding legal document. We work closely with accredited mediators and can recommend suitable services in Camden and the surrounding area.

Why choose Osbornes Law’s Camden family solicitors?

Our family law solicitors are ranked in Chambers UK and Legal 500, two of the leading independent legal directories. These rankings reflect the quality of our work and the outcomes we achieve for clients, as assessed by an independent review process that includes interviews with our clients.

We are members of Resolution, whose code of practice commits us to resolving family disputes in a constructive, non-confrontational way wherever possible. This approach protects your relationship with your former partner, which matters especially when children are involved.

Our offices are in Camden and Hampstead, so we are well placed to advise clients across north London.

Areas we cover

We advise clients across Camden and the surrounding area, including:

• NW1 (Camden Town, Regent’s Park, Marylebone)
• NW3 (Hampstead, Belsize Park, Swiss Cottage)
• NW5 (Kentish Town, Tufnell Park)
• NW6 (West Hampstead, Kilburn)
• N1 (Islington, Angel, King’s Cross)
• N7 (Holloway, Barnsbury)

If you are based elsewhere in London or across England and Wales, we can advise you remotely or in person at either of our offices.

Speak to a family solicitor in Camden

Call us on 020 7485 8811 or fill in the contact form below to arrange an initial conversation with one of our family solicitors.

FAQ

What family law services do your Camden solicitors offer?

Our Camden family solicitors advise on arrangements for children, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation disputes and agreements, civil partnership dissolution, and family mediation. For divorce advice, see our dedicated Camden divorce solicitors page.

How much does a family solicitor cost in Camden?

Costs depend on the nature and complexity of your matter. We offer fixed fees for some services, such as drafting a prenuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement, and hourly rates for more complex or contested matters. We will always give you a clear costs estimate at the outset so there are no surprises.

Do I have to go to court for family law matters?

Not necessarily. Many family law disputes are resolved through negotiation, solicitor correspondence, or mediation without any court involvement. Since March 2024, most people must consider non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) before applying to the family court. We will always explore non-court options first and only recommend court proceedings if they are genuinely necessary.

What is a child arrangement order?

A child arrangement order is a court order that sets out where a child will live and how much time they will spend with each parent. It can be made by agreement (a consent order) or following contested proceedings. We always try to help parents reach agreement without going to court, as this is usually better for the children and less stressful and expensive for both parents.

What is a prenuptial agreement and is it legally binding?

A prenuptial agreement is a contract entered into before marriage that sets out how assets should be divided if the marriage breaks down. In England and Wales, prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding, but courts give them significant weight if both parties had independent legal advice, entered the agreement freely, and the terms are fair. We advise on drafting and reviewing prenuptial agreements to give them the best possible chance of being upheld.

What rights do I have as a cohabiting partner?

Unmarried cohabiting partners have significantly fewer rights than married couples or civil partners. You do not automatically have a right to a share of your partner’s property, even if you have lived together for many years. Your rights depend on factors such as whether your name is on the title deeds, any written agreement you have, and financial contributions you have made. We can advise you on your position and help you protect your interests.

Do I need a solicitor for family mediation?

You do not have to have a solicitor to attend mediation, but we strongly recommend taking legal advice before, during, and after the process. A solicitor can help you prepare for mediation, advise you on whether any proposed settlement is fair, and turn an agreement reached in mediation into a legally binding document.

What is the difference between a separation agreement and a consent order?

A separation agreement is a private contract between separating couples that sets out agreed arrangements for finances and children. It is not automatically enforceable by a court. A consent order is approved by a court and is legally binding and enforceable. For financial arrangements to be fully binding, you need a consent order. We can advise on which is appropriate for your situation.