Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Family Law Solicitors in London
Established in 1972, we are a distinguished family law firm headquartered in London, renowned for our expertise in both national and international family law matters. Our practice encompasses a comprehensive range of services, including divorce proceedings, financial settlements, child custody arrangements, and complex cross-border legal disputes. With a team led by 12 partners and supported by highly skilled solicitors, we combine decades of experience with a client-focused approach to deliver tailored legal solutions.Our firm is particularly acclaimed for pioneering landmark cases that have shaped family law jurisprudence. We prioritise a constructive, solution-oriented methodology to mitigate conflict while safeguarding client interests, complemented by 24/7 emergency support for urgent matters such as child abduction. Our commitment to excellence is evidenced by consistent top-tier rankings in legal directories and recognition through industry awards.
Services
Separation and Divorce
Financial Claims
Children Matters
Conveyancing
Emergency Legal Aid
International Family Law
Cohabitation Agreements
Surrogacy Cases
Prenuptial Agreements
Child Abduction
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of dedicated experience in family law.
- Our team includes 12 specialist partners leading financial and children departments.
- Recognised as a top-tier firm by Chambers and Legal 500.
- We provide 24/7 emergency support for child abduction and forced marriage cases.
- Award-winning expertise in international family law disputes.
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
What people say
Award-winning expertise
Responsive emergency support
International dispute resolution
Client-focused approach
Landmark case experience
Services
Separation and Divorce
We provide comprehensive legal representation for divorce and separation cases, including asset division, spousal maintenance, and contested proceedings. Our team specialises in high-net-worth divorces and complex financial settlements. With a focus on minimising conflict, we offer strategic advice to achieve equitable outcomes for clients.
Child Custody Arrangements
Our child law experts handle custody disputes, parental responsibility, and international relocation cases. We prioritise children's welfare while protecting parental rights. The team advises on custody agreements, abduction cases, and care proceedings with sensitivity and legal precision.
International Family Law
We resolve complex international family disputes involving multiple jurisdictions. Services include forum selection, enforcement of foreign orders, and abduction cases. With multilingual lawyers and global networks, we provide strategic solutions for clients with international connections across 30+ countries.
Emergency Legal Aid
24/7 support for critical matters like child abduction, forced marriage, and immediate custody threats. Our rapid-response team provides court injunctions and emergency interventions. This service ensures immediate legal protection during high-risk family law crises.
Conveyancing Services
We handle property transactions related to family law cases, including lease renewals and asset transfers. Our conveyancing team specialises in resolving property disputes during separations. Services ensure seamless property management aligned with family law outcomes.
People
Russell Bywater
Partner and Head of Matrimonial Department
With over 30 years' experience, Russell leads our matrimonial department, specialising in complex financial settlements and high-profile divorce cases. His expertise shapes national family law practices.
Carolina Marn Pedreo
Partner and Head of Children Department
Recognised as Band 1 by Chambers, Carolina oversees child custody and international abduction cases, combining legal acumen with compassionate representation for vulnerable families in cross-border disputes.
Forum Shah
Partner
Ranked in Legal 500, Forum specialises in financial remedy cases and complex child arrangements, known for strategic advocacy in high-net-worth divorces and international custody battles.
Stephen Harker
Managing Partner
As Managing Partner, Stephen oversees firm operations and property law matters, ensuring seamless service delivery across our specialist departments while maintaining our commitment to legal excellence.
Kelly Harwood
Senior Associate
Senior associate in the children department, Kelly provides expert counsel on custody disputes and adoption cases, combining tactical precision with empathetic client support.
Questions
What areas of law does Dawson Cornwell specialise in?
We specialise exclusively in family law, covering divorce, financial settlements, child custody, international family disputes, surrogacy, and emergency legal interventions.
Do you handle international family law cases?
Yes, we are globally recognised for cross-border cases involving child abduction, jurisdiction disputes, and international financial settlements across 30+ jurisdictions.
What emergency services do you offer?
Our 24/7 emergency line assists with urgent matters like child abduction, forced marriage, and immediate custody threats, providing rapid legal intervention.
Are your legal fees transparent?
We provide clear cost structures during initial consultations, with flexible billing options and no hidden fees across all family law services.
