Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Family Law Solicitors in London
Established in 1972, we are a leading family law firm based in London with international recognition. Our expertise spans separation, divorce, financial settlements, child arrangements, and complex international family law cases. With 12 partners heading specialised departments, we combine decades of experience with a client-focused approach to deliver tailored legal solutions. Our team is renowned for handling high-profile and cross-border cases, supported by a track record of awards and rankings in industry directories.We prioritise constructive, cost-effective strategies while maintaining a commitment to accessibility through lawyers at all seniority levels. Our regulatory compliance and ethical standards are upheld by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, ensuring trust and professionalism in all client interactions.
Services
Separation and Divorce
Financial Claims
Children Matters
Property Conveyancing
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of dedicated experience in family law.
- Our team includes 12 partners specialising in financial and children's matters.
- Award-winning expertise in international child abduction and cross-border cases.
- We offer 24/7 emergency legal support for urgent family matters.
- Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for professional excellence.
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
What people say
Award-winning team
International expertise
Client-focused approach
Services
Separation and Divorce
We provide expert legal guidance for separation and divorce cases, including pre-nuptial agreements and post-divorce financial settlements. Our team specialises in resolving complex asset divisions and custody disputes with a focus on minimising conflict. Clients benefit from our award-winning expertise in both domestic and international divorce proceedings.
Financial Claims
Our specialists handle financial claims arising from divorce or separation, including property division, spousal maintenance, and hidden asset investigations. We advise high-net-worth individuals and those with complex financial arrangements, ensuring fair outcomes through negotiation or court representation. Our track record includes landmark cases in financial remedy law.
Children Matters
We specialise in child custody, international relocation, and abduction cases, prioritising children's welfare in all decisions. Our dedicated children's department handles emergency protection orders and adoption matters with sensitivity. Recognised for expertise in cross-border child disputes, we work closely with international legal networks to secure optimal outcomes.
International Family Law
With specialists fluent in 20+ languages, we handle complex international family law matters including forum disputes and multi-jurisdictional divorces. Our team advises embassies and governments on family law issues, maintaining partnerships with legal professionals worldwide. We provide urgent support for international child abduction cases through dedicated emergency lines.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
We promote mediation and collaborative law to resolve family disputes amicably, reducing emotional and financial costs. Our accredited mediators facilitate negotiations for financial settlements and child arrangements. This approach often achieves faster resolutions while maintaining client confidentiality compared to court proceedings.
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. Recognised in legal directories for his strategic approach, he combines deep expertise with client-focused representation.
Carolina Marn Pedreo
Partner and Head of Children Department
Ranked as Band 1 by Chambers, Carolina specialises in child custody, international relocation, and adoption cases. Her expertise in protecting children's interests has resolved numerous cross-border disputes, supported by her fluency in multiple languages.
Simon Bruce
Partner
A leading authority in family law, Simon handles high-net-worth financial settlements and complex child arrangement disputes. His career spans decades of precedent-setting cases, maintaining a reputation for tactical excellence and client advocacy.
Forum Shah
Partner
Recognised as 'outstanding' by clients, Forum specialises in international child abduction and forced marriage cases. Her work combines legal expertise with humanitarian focus, supported by her involvement in global family law organisations.
Stephen Harker
Managing Partner
As Managing Partner, Stephen oversees firm operations while maintaining expertise in property law. With decades of experience, he ensures the firm's strategic direction aligns with its commitment to excellence in family law services.
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 alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation.
Do you handle international family law cases?
Yes, we are internationally recognised for cross-border cases including child abduction, international divorce, and multi-jurisdictional financial disputes, supported by multilingual specialists and global legal networks.
What emergency services are available?
Our 24/7 emergency line (+44 7952 525699) provides urgent legal support for child abduction, forced marriage, and other critical family law emergencies requiring immediate intervention.
How are legal costs structured?
We offer transparent pricing with lawyers at different seniority levels to suit various budgets. Costs depend on case complexity, with options for fixed fees and detailed cost estimates provided upfront.
Reviews (6)
Kevin Wharram
Jun 16, 2022
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My experience with Dawson Cornwell has been fantastic; both Carolina Marin Pedreno & Felicia Munde have been exceptional. Carolina initially took my case on and gave me excellent legal advice and strategy for proceeding with my case. Felicia then took my case over and has been fantastic, and I have to say her exceptional service, writing skills and tenaciousness helped me with my case. My experience with family law firms has only been with Dawson Cornwell, who has been brilliant. They are a talented law firm with very bright individuals.
Prestige Africa
Jun 14, 2022
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I really appreciate this team. Especially Forum, Fiona and Dizzy helped get my son back to South Africa after a long year battle. Yesterday I finally managed to see my son in person. I'm really grateful to them.
Richmond Etsey Dzikushie
Jun 11, 2022
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My experience with the firm was very engaging and interactive. My issue was dealt with the highest level of concern and expertise by Charlotte Image-Flower. I was very satisfied with the level of professionalism and the in-depth level of prompt communication throughout my engagement. I highly recommend her services and the services of the firm to anyone who seeks legal assistance.
Mohamed Sheikh Alsouk
Jun 10, 2022
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I dealt with this office for a particular family matter. I have worked with Amy Rose and Felicia Munde for over 5 months. Words cannot express how grateful I am for their hard work and their attention to details. I consider myself lucky to have been put in such good hands and they have handled my case very well. I highly recommend them.
Shara Jaff
Jun 08, 2022
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First of all they are very respectful and they are organised. A lady who had my case her name is Lina. She was absolutely amazing Solicitor. Lina working in details, . however I was out of country while my case was happened. Lina tried her best to win my case. She wrote my statement honestly and attractive in order. If you have a case and you think you need to get back your rights. Don't be anxious and contact this company. I'm pretty sure you will win as I am. regards
Cleopatra Camacho Toro
May 20, 2022
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I have to give a huge thank you to Forum and Fiona for all their good work and support in making critical changes to my son's child arrangement order. They were caring, empathetic and understanding throughout the court hearing process. I will forever be grateful for the fantastic outcome of my case.
