Shortlands

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ACTON FAMILY LAW SOLICITORS
When family life changes,
we are beside you.

Trusted by families and individuals across Acton, Ealing, and West London. Expert guidance through divorce, child arrangements, and financial settlements.

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  • 20+
    YEARS SERVING LONDON
  • 3
    Branches
  • SRA
    REGULATED & AUTHORISED

About Shortlands

Family Law Solicitors Acton

Shortlands Family Law has been exclusively practising family law since 2004, supporting clients across Acton, West London, and beyond. We work with bankers, entrepreneurs, hoteliers, and professionals — people with significant assets, complex financial structures, or demanding careers who need more than a standard legal service. As a result, we have become the first choice of family law specialists for busy individuals who have reached a difficult juncture in their life. Our role is to protect your interests, reduce conflict, and help you move forward.

Our Family Law Services

Specialist legal support across every area of family law — from divorce and child arrangements to financial settlements and urgent protection orders.

Divorce Solicitors

Practical and supportive guidance through divorce and separation proceedings, including no-fault divorce under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020.

Separation Agreements

Clear and enforceable legal agreements to formalise financial and practical arrangements following the breakdown of a relationship.

Child Arrangements

Legal advice and representation on child custody, parental responsibility, Child Arrangement Orders, and co-parenting disputes — focused on the child's best interests.

Prenuptial &
Cohabitation Agreements

Legally informed agreements to protect your personal and financial interests before or during a relationship or cohabitation arrangement.

Financial Settlements

Expert guidance on the division of matrimonial assets, property, pensions, and spousal maintenance following separation or divorce.

Mediation &
Dispute Resolution

Helping families resolve disputes constructively and cost-effectively outside court, including Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs).

Will Writing

Urgent and sensitive legal support for individuals experiencing domestic abuse or harassment, including emergency non-molestation and occupation orders.

Inheritance Tax

Advice and representation for grandparents seeking to maintain meaningful relationships with grandchildren following family breakdown or parental dispute.

SPECIALIST ADVICE

Divorce Solicitors Acton

Divorce is one of the most emotionally and legally significant events a person can face. At Shortlands, we take that seriously.

We provide clear, honest advice from the very first conversation. Under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, no-fault divorce removes the need to attribute blame, reducing conflict for separating couples. Our solicitors guide you through every stage — from application to Final Order — with the discretion and expertise your circumstances demand.

Our solicitors advise a wide range of clients, from individuals and families navigating separation or divorce, to business owners dealing with the division of company assets, senior professionals with complex pension arrangements, and clients with international financial interests or overseas assets.

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DIVORCE MATTERS WE HANDLE

Understanding divorce the process

How the Divorce Process Works

A clear overview of the key stages in UK divorce under the current no-fault divorce laws.

01

Initial Consultation

We review your situation and explain your options clearly.

02

Application Submitted

Divorce application prepared and submitted to the court.

03

Conditional Order

Court confirms breakdown of marriage is satisfied.

04

Financial & Child Matters

Negotiations run in parallel - most settle without court.

05

Final Order

Divorce legally finalised. Your new chapter begins.

Typical timeline: 6–12 months depending on complexity of financial and child arrangements.

Child Law

Child Arrangements Solicitors Acton

When parents separate, decisions about where children live and how much time they spend with each parent are often the most difficult and emotionally charged of all. At Shortlands, we approach child arrangements with one constant priority: the welfare and best interests of the child.

A Child Arrangements Order (CAO) is a formal court order that sets out where a child lives, spends time, and makes contact between them — and in what circumstances. In most situations, we work to reach agreement through mediation or collaboration. Where court proceedings become necessary, our expert child custody solicitors are well-prepared to achieve the outcome your child deserves.

 

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Child Law MATTERS WE HANDLE

What our clients say about us

Thank you both for helping me through this sad process; you made it straightforward and much less painful than it could have been. I am of course relieved it is over. Excellent service, highly professional and humane.
Elena
I have found Shortlands an extremely professional and understanding firm. My solicitor Sian Whittaker has always explained proceedings in a manner that is easy to understand and the knowledge and advice given has always been supportive and invaluable. I feel that my work is being handled very professionally and they are very prompt with their replies to my questions. I would not therefore hesitate in recommending them.
Chief
During not only an extremely difficult time but also a complex divorce and settlement of finances, I found the staff at Shortlands to be extremely supportive and understanding. Shabana Walayat was in the main handling my case and I was always impressed by her quick grasp of the personalities involved and how she responded appropriately and effectively each time a particularly...
Sara Hayter
I have been in receipt of legal advice from Shortlands on a variety of matters for five years. This advice mainly concerned family law. Throughout this time, I have found the quality of the legal advice received to be strong. One matter did end up in court and Shortlands was able to appropriately defend my position with the court result going in my favor. In addition to the quality of the legal advice, Shortlands has a professional support team behind it. In summary, I do have genuine confidence in the firm both in terms of its legal advice and its service levels.
Nicholas Green
Dear Shortlands, A very big thank you for all your help regarding my case, brilliant service provided and I will be recommending your good name to all who seek legal representation.
Lee Kimberley
“I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks Shabana and her Team for their excellent work, professionalism and understanding, at a time when things were very stressful. I am grateful that my numerous phone calls and emails were always promptly replied to which was very much appreciated. I felt I had dedicated support and so much more. I would highly recommend Shortlands Solicitors and would definitely use them again in the future. Many, many thanks again for everything, you were brilliant”
Michelle Fernandez
Shortlands attorneys led by Shabana Walayat are the best and most cost effective lawyers you could ever ask for. My divorce and custody battle has been complicated, long with a complex international dimension. My previous lawyers had been incompetent in grappling the various components, but Shortlands have exceeded my expectations and together we have won a number of judgments. Not only are they great lawyers with intellect and understanding of case law, but they have taken my case as if it were their own. I would not hesitate to recommend them for complex international cases.
Andrew Darfoor
I would unreservedly recommend Shabana Walayat to anyone seeking help with childcare arrangements after separation/divorce or the matter of relocation. For what was a traumatic time in my life, Shabana gave me reassurance and handled my case with great expertise. I felt she was in charge of the situation throughout. She helped me gain a clear picture of the legal procedures and its terminology. Shabana and her team always responded to my requests quickly and kept me in the loop of the ongoing developments. Her approach to her work as a lawyer I experienced as both – compassionate and highly professional. And that I am truly thankful for.
Juliana Marx
I have found Shortlands a very approachable firm in dealing with my separation and divorce matters. They have been professional; respecting my point of view and providing the best advice on each situation. It has been very easy to communicate with them via email and on the phone. I certainly don’t think I would have been able to go through the process without their expertise and I am very happy to recommend them.
Ana Maria Serrano
When I first called Shortlands solicitors I was very scared and extremely upset. It was an incredibly distressing time for me, but after speaking to Shabana, from the very beginning she was very understanding and quick to listen to my concerns, give me the correct advice and guide me in a very difficult situation, she was very professional and easy to talk, she answered all the questions. She was fully engaged...
Flor Barsallo

How Can We Help?

Make an Enquiry

We understand that every case is different and has its own complexities. Our experts are dedicated to guiding you through the legal process with tailored solutions which work for you.

Mediation MATTERS WE HANDLE

Non-court resolution

Family Mediation Acton

Before making a court application for a Child Arrangements Order or financial relief, attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) is a legal requirement. But beyond compliance, mediation is genuinely the better route for most families.

Our accredited Acton family mediators create a structured, confidential environment where both parties can discuss difficult issues — from property and pensions to parenting schedules — without the cost, delay, or adversarial pressure of court proceedings. Mediated agreements typically take weeks rather than months, cost significantly less, and produce outcomes both parties have shaped and agreed to.

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Financial Settlement

Financial Settlement Solicitors Acton

For professionals and individuals with substantial assets, a financial settlement is rarely straightforward. Business interests, pension portfolios, property holdings, and income structures all require careful analysis — and a financial settlement solicitor who understands what is genuinely at stake.

Over 20 years, Shortlands has advised bankers, entrepreneurs, hoteliers, and senior professionals on the full spectrum of financial remedy proceedings. We always pursue settlement through negotiation, mediation, or collaboration first. Where a contested hearing is unavoidable, our team is prepared — and experienced — to advocate effectively on your behalf.

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Financial Settlement MATTERS WE HANDLE
Speak With an Experienced
Family Solicitor Today

Complex circumstances require real expertise. Complete the form for a confidential consultation with one of our specialist family solicitors.

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02076299905

Coverage

Serving Acton and
Surrounding Areas

While based in Hammersmith, Shortlands Solicitors regularly assists clients from across London. If you are searching for a family law solicitor in any of the areas listed, our team can help.

We also represent clients in Manchester, Birmingham and internationally in cross-border family law disputes — including proceedings under the Hague Convention on international child abduction.

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Areas We Serve

Our Affiliation

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