Family and Relationship Solicitors

Family law matters often involve far more than legal process. For many clients, they intersect with significant personal wealth, international lives, privacy considerations and long-term consequences for family and future generations.

From our hubs in Birmingham and London, we advise individuals and families throughout England and Wales, and internationally on complex and high-value family law matters with discretion, judgement, and a clear strategic focus.

Our role is to help you assess risk, understand your options, and navigate sensitive situations calmly and thoughtfully.

Advising clients with complex personal and financial circumstances

We act for clients across all types of relationships, worldwide, including married couples, civil partners and cohabiting individuals.

Our work commonly involves substantial personal wealth, property portfolios, business interests, trusts and international connections.

Clients are typically introduced to us for high value or complex family law matters. This is where clarity, discretion, and experience allow us to act quickly and efficiently.

We are regularly instructed on:

• Pre-nuptial, post-nuptial, and cohabitation agreements
• Divorce and separation involving high-value, high net worth or otherwise complex financial arrangements
• Financial settlements and asset division
• Children matters, including arrangements and parental responsibility
• Property rights for cohabiting couples.

Our approach is measured and realistic. We identify potential risks early, consider likely outcomes carefully, and focus on resolution where possible, without unnecessary escalation.

Discretion and sensitive matters

Many family matters sit alongside business interests, public profiles, or complex family dynamics. We are accustomed to working quietly and carefully, managing sensitive information with a high level of control.

Advice is practical and considered, shaped around your circumstances rather than delivered through generic templates or assumptions.

Where appropriate, we coordinate closely with other trusted professional advisers to ensure decisions are informed and aligned.

International family lawyers

For families with international lives, family law issues can quickly become more complex. From our London headquarters, we are best-placed to advise how jurisdiction, applicable law, and enforceability can materially affect outcomes if not addressed at an early stage.

As founding members of Mackrell International, we work with trusted family law specialists across multiple jurisdictions. This enables us to:

• Advise on jurisdiction and forum selection
• Coordinate international advice efficiently
• Manage cross-border divorce, financial, and children matters
• Address relocation and child abduction issues with speed and care

We act as lead adviser, ensuring international elements are handled coherently and strategically rather than fragmented across firms.

How we work

Clients and professional advisers working on complex family law matters value us for:

• Effective teamwork, with the right team member doing the right thing
• Senior lawyer involvement when needed
• Clear, pragmatic advice grounded in experience
• Early identification of complexity and risk
• Thoughtful handling of both financial and personal sensitivity

We regularly work alongside accountants, wealth advisers, private banks, trustees, and family offices where appropriate, ensuring advice remains joined-up and commercially realistic.

Why Mackrell LLP for family law

Clients in London, across the UK and internationally instruct us because:

• we are experienced in complex and high-value family matters
• discretion and confidentiality underpin how we work
• advice is measured, strategic, and proportionate
• international capability is integrated into our approach
• long-term relationships are handled with judgement and care

A confidential conversation

If a discussion about a family law matter would be helpful, our team is available for a private and confidential conversation with a senior member of the family law team.

You can contact us on +44 (0)20 7240 0521 or by email to arrange an initial discussion.

Frequently asked questions

Do you act for high-net-worth individuals in family law matters?

We regularly advise clients with complex personal and financial circumstances, including high-value financial settlements, international family matters and situations requiring a high level of discretion.

Do you handle international and cross-border family law cases?

Yes. We have extensive experience in international family law, including cross-border divorce, children matters, and jurisdictional advice. Through Mackrell International and the law firms in that international network, we coordinate trusted legal advice across multiple jurisdictions.

Who will handle my matter?

Family matters are handled by senior lawyers with relevant experience in complex and high-value work. Clients have direct access to their adviser throughout the matter.

Do you work with other professional advisers?

Yes. We regularly work alongside accountants, wealth advisers, private banks, trustees and family offices to ensure advice is aligned and practical.

How do you manage confidentiality and discretion?

Discretion is central to how we work. Matters are handled carefully, with controlled communication and sensitive information management throughout.

Can you advise on jurisdiction and forum selection?

Yes. Jurisdiction is often a critical strategic issue in international family matters. We advise on forum selection and the implications of different legal systems at an early stage.

Is an initial discussion confidential?

All initial discussions are handled confidentially and without obligation.