Divorce Solicitors Hampstead

Osbornes Law is ranked in Chambers UK and Legal 500. Our office is on Flask Walk, NW3, and we advise clients across Hampstead, Highgate, Belsize Park, and the surrounding area.

Deciding to end a marriage is one of the most significant decisions you will make. Once that decision is made, what matters most is getting the right legal advice quickly, so you understand your options and can protect your position. Our divorce lawyers work with you to reach a fair outcome with as little conflict as possible.

We are one of London’s largest specialist family teams, with over 45 years of experience. Our solicitors are members of Resolution and are ranked in Chambers UK HNW, the Spears HNW Guide, and the Times Best Law Firms. Whether your case is straightforward or involves complex assets, we have the experience to advise you properly.

How no-fault divorce works

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 came into force in April 2022 and changed divorce law in England and Wales fundamentally. Under the new law, the sole ground for divorce is that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. You do not need to blame your spouse, cite adultery, or rely on a period of separation.

Either spouse can apply on their own, or both can apply together through a joint application. The process has two stages. First, the conditional order (formerly the decree nisi), which the court grants to confirm it sees no reason why you cannot divorce. Second, the final order (formerly the decree absolute), which ends the marriage. There is a mandatory 20-week waiting period from the date the application is issued before you can apply for the conditional order, and a further six weeks before you can apply for the final order.

The court fee to apply for a divorce is currently £593. The divorce application ends the marriage, but it does not resolve your finances or set out arrangements for your children. Those are separate processes, and they are usually the most important ones to get right. We handle both alongside the divorce application so nothing is overlooked.

Financial settlements on divorce

A financial settlement is the process of dividing your assets. Without a court order in place, neither of you is fully protected. A former spouse can make a financial claim against you years after the divorce if no financial remedy order has been agreed and approved by the court.

The assets in scope include the family home, savings, investments, pensions, business interests, and any pre-acquired or inherited wealth. The court starts from an equal division, but the length of the marriage, the needs of any children, and significant contributions by one party can all affect the outcome.

We advise on consent orders where both parties have reached agreement, and we represent clients in contested financial remedy proceedings where they cannot. In high-value cases, this involves working with forensic accountants, pension actuaries, and valuers. We are regularly instructed in cases involving trusts, offshore assets, and international elements.

Chambers HNW 2024 notes that “Osbornes handle a significant amount of complex, high-value divorce work.” If your case involves significant assets, we are well placed to advise you.

Divorce and your children

Arrangements for children are separate from the divorce and from the financial settlement, but they are often the most emotionally charged aspect of a separation. Ideally, these should be agreed alongside the divorce itself, not left for later.

We help parents reach arrangements for children through negotiation and mediation wherever possible. Where agreement cannot be reached, we represent clients in proceedings for child arrangement orders. Since March 2024, most people must consider non-court dispute resolution (NCDR), including attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), before applying to the family court. For more detail on children law matters, see our Hampstead family solicitors page.

High-value and international divorce

Some divorce cases require specialist expertise. Where the assets include property portfolios, business interests, substantial pensions, trusts, offshore structures, or international elements, you need lawyers with specific experience in high-net-worth divorce. Where one spouse lives abroad or assets are held in more than one country, the choice of where to divorce can significantly affect the financial outcome.

Mark Freedman leads our Hampstead divorce team. Chambers HNW 2024 describes him in these terms: “Mark leads the team superbly. He is very able, thinks laterally, fights his client’s corner, and invariably succeeds in getting a good result via negotiation or litigation.” His experience includes cases involving complex tax, trust, and accounting issues, and he is regularly instructed in financial dispute resolution (FDR) hearings.

Jewish divorce and get proceedings

A civil divorce ends the marriage in law but does not dissolve a Jewish marriage under Jewish law. For the religious marriage to end, a get (a Jewish religious divorce document) must be obtained separately through a rabbinical court. Without a get, a Jewish woman is considered an agunah and cannot remarry under Jewish law.

We advise clients in Hampstead’s Jewish community on both aspects of their separation and work with rabbinical authorities to ensure the get process is properly managed. For further background, see our blog post on divorce, child arrangements, and the Jewish festivals.

Areas we cover

Our Hampstead office is on Flask Walk, NW3. We advise divorce clients across Hampstead, Highgate, Belsize Park, Chalk Farm, Golders Green, Swiss Cottage, and Finchley Road. For complex or high-value matters, we advise clients across London and nationally, and many clients instruct us remotely or travel to our offices in Hampstead or Camden.

Why choose Osbornes Law for your divorce?

Osbornes Law has been advising clients on divorce for over 45 years. Our solicitors are ranked in Chambers UK HNW, Legal 500, the Spears HNW Guide, and the Times Best Law Firms, and all are members of Resolution.

Lisa Pepper is one of the senior solicitors in our Hampstead team. Chambers HNW 2024 describes her as follows: “Lisa Pepper is a standout mediator: smart, sensitive and able to narrow the issues with ease.” Our approach combines rigorous legal advice with a genuine commitment to reaching fair outcomes without unnecessary conflict.

Speak to our Hampstead divorce solicitors

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

Frequently asked questions

How does no-fault divorce work in England and Wales?

Since April 2022, couples in England and Wales can divorce without one party having to blame the other. Under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, the only ground is that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. Either or both spouses can apply, and neither can contest the divorce itself.

How long does a divorce take?

The minimum time from application to final order is around six months, based on the mandatory 20-week waiting period before the conditional order and a further six weeks before the final order. In practice, most divorces take longer because reaching a financial settlement takes time. Contested financial proceedings can take 12 to 18 months or more.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Hampstead?

The court fee to apply for a divorce is currently £593. Solicitor fees depend on the complexity of your case and whether it is contested. A straightforward case where both parties agree on everything costs significantly less than contested financial proceedings. We will give you a clear costs estimate at the outset.

Do I need a solicitor for my divorce?

You can apply for a divorce without a solicitor, but we strongly recommend taking legal advice if you have assets, property, pensions, or children to consider. The divorce application itself is straightforward under no-fault divorce; reaching a binding financial settlement is not. Without a court order, you remain exposed to financial claims from your former spouse.

What is a financial remedy order?

A financial remedy order is a court order that sets out how your assets will be divided on divorce. It is legally binding and enforceable. Without one in place, neither party is protected from future financial claims by the other. We always recommend finalising a financial remedy order alongside the divorce, not after it.

How are pensions divided on divorce?

Pensions are often the most valuable asset in a divorce after the family home, but they are frequently overlooked. A pension sharing order transfers a percentage of one spouse’s pension into a separate pension in the other’s name. Alternatively, pension offsetting allows one party to keep their pension in exchange for a larger share of other assets. We advise on both approaches and work with pension actuaries where needed.

Can I divorce if my spouse does not agree?

Yes. Under no-fault divorce, your spouse cannot contest the divorce itself. They can raise procedural points and dispute the financial settlement, but they cannot prevent the divorce from proceeding if you want it to. We can advise you on how to manage the process if your spouse is unco-operative.

Do you handle Jewish divorce (get) proceedings?

Yes. We advise clients on both the civil divorce and the get process, which must be obtained separately through a rabbinical court. Without a get, a Jewish marriage is not dissolved under Jewish law. We work with rabbinical authorities and have particular experience advising clients in Hampstead’s Jewish community on both aspects of their separation.