Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Family Law Solicitors in London
Established in 1972, we are a specialist family law firm with a globally recognised reputation for excellence. Our team of 12 partners leads dedicated financial and children departments, combining over 30 years of legal expertise with fresh perspectives from our younger lawyers. We provide tailored solutions for complex family matters, including international cases that require nuanced understanding of cross-jurisdictional challenges. Our approach prioritises constructive resolution while maintaining readiness for robust court representation when necessary.With more reported cases than any UK firm, we actively shape family law developments. We serve diverse clients from high-net-worth individuals to publicly funded cases, offering accessible legal advice through lawyers at varying seniority levels. Our property law services complement our family law practice, ensuring comprehensive support for clients' needs.
Services
Separation and Divorce
Child Custody Disputes
Financial Settlements
International Family Law
Cohabitation Agreements
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years' experience specialising exclusively in family law
- Our 12 partners lead dedicated financial and children law departments
- Recognised as top-tier firm by Chambers and Legal 500 directories
- Available 24/7 for child abduction and forced marriage emergencies
- Handle complex international cases across 30+ jurisdictions
What people say
First rate family law firm
Innovative approach
Top-tier firm
Solution focused
Internationally recognised
Services
Separation and Divorce
We handle all aspects of relationship breakdown, from pre-nuptial agreements to contested divorces. Our specialists provide strategic guidance on asset division, spousal maintenance, and court proceedings. With decades of experience in complex financial settlements, we protect client interests while minimising emotional distress through negotiated solutions or litigation when necessary.
Child Custody Disputes
Our dedicated children's department manages custody battles, relocation cases, and abduction emergencies. We specialise in international child law, working with courts across jurisdictions to establish safe, sustainable custody arrangements. Our team understands the emotional complexity of these cases and prioritises children's welfare in all recommendations.
Financial Settlements
We resolve financial disputes involving property, pensions, business assets, and hidden wealth. Our experts handle high-net-worth cases with complex valuations, ensuring fair outcomes through mediation or court proceedings. We also enforce financial orders and address post-divorce financial claims.
International Family Law
With multilingual specialists and global legal networks, we manage international divorces, custody battles, and abduction cases. Our team handles jurisdictional conflicts, enforce foreign orders, and advise on immigration implications. We maintain strong relationships with foreign embassies and legal professionals to ensure effective cross-border representation.
Cohabitation Agreements
We draft legally binding cohabitation agreements to protect assets and clarify financial responsibilities. Our specialists advise on Schedule 1 claims for child support, property transfers, and maintenance when relationships end. We help unmarried couples understand their limited legal protections and create customised solutions.
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.
Carolina Marn Pedreo
Partner and Head of Children Department
Recognised as Band 1 by Chambers, Carolina specialises in international child law, handling abduction cases, custody disputes, and complex adoption matters.
Simon Bruce
Partner
A leading authority in family law, Simon handles high-net-worth divorce cases and complex financial settlements with particular expertise in business asset division.
Forum Shah
Partner
Ranked in Legal 500, Forum specialises in international child abduction cases and forced marriage protection, providing 24/7 emergency response services.
Stephen Harker
Managing Partner
Overseeing firm operations, Stephen combines strategic leadership with property law expertise, managing complex conveyancing matters alongside business management.
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, and cohabitation matters.
Do you handle international family law cases?
Yes, we have extensive experience with cross-border cases including child abduction, international divorce, and jurisdictional disputes across 30+ countries.
What emergency services do you offer?
We provide 24/7 emergency support for child abduction cases and forced marriage situations through our dedicated emergency hotline.
How are your legal fees structured?
We offer transparent pricing with lawyers at different seniority levels to provide cost-effective solutions tailored to each case's complexity.
What recognition has the firm received?
We are consistently ranked as a top-tier firm by Chambers and Legal 500, with multiple partners recognised as leading individuals in family law.
Reviews (7)
Daisy Daisy
Jan 02, 2022
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Excellent outcome resolving my case for Child abduction! A big THANK YOU to Dawson Cornwell for taking and working hard on my case and get the best possible outcome ! Carolina Pendreno and her team ( Rebecca Taylor ,Olivia Torres and Felicia Munde)are very professional and work very hard to get things done! I would definitely recommend Dawson Cornwell to everyone who needs a legal advice or needs to deal with International Abduction Case! Thank you so much for being professional and fighting for my rights !
Christopher F.
Dec 14, 2021
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I cannot praise Carolina & her team enough. They have simply been fantastic. Thank you for fighting for me and my family and putting right what my previous solicitor destroyed because of his incompetency or laziness.
John Hankins
Dec 12, 2021
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I had a case against me from High Court "Child Abduction" on Nov 21, I was very choked and scared, but when Dawson Cornwell team took the case by their Senior Associate Forum Shah, I was relax because she was very professional, honest, Knowledgeable and easy to understand, and by first week on Dec I had a great result from the court and my kids now can stay with me. what a wonderful result, THANK YOU Forum very much, much appreciated!!
Ben B.
Sep 23, 2021
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It will take a long time to fix the damage done to me by this firm. A firm that handle cases like a factory with zero investigation or attention to the case. Such a mess , no strategy and horrible results. Stay a way , they will chase your money and you will not get justice. Horrible firm
Navra Mohammed
Aug 30, 2021
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Positive:Value
They are perfect . My solicitor Lina working in this company she is amazing however My English not very well but she always recognizes her work . Shes kind , smart , quite organize and friendly. I was extremely happy with her advice
They are perfect . My solicitor Lina working in this company she is amazing however My English not very well but she always recognizes her work . Shes kind , smart , quite organize and friendly. I was extremely happy with her advice
Paulina Stangret
Aug 19, 2021
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I found myself in an extremly hard situation after my less than 2 years old daughter was abducted. I was so lucky to find Dawson Cornwell. The case was manage so well and my daughter was back home in less than 3 weeks. Ilona Jozwiak and Forum Shah went above and beyond to bring my girl back home as quickly as possible. My life wouldnt be the same without the legal and emotional support and compassion I received from the team. Thank you so much!!!!
James Allan
Apr 23, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
I would highly recommend Dawson Cornwell. I needed representation after I had been locked out of my family home. Dawson Cornwell acted with professionalism and compassion throughout a very tough period. I would highly recommend Jessica Reid and Aysel Akhundova.
I would highly recommend Dawson Cornwell. I needed representation after I had been locked out of my family home. Dawson Cornwell acted with professionalism and compassion throughout a very tough period. I would highly recommend Jessica Reid and Aysel Akhundova.
