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Family Law Solicitors Paddington
When Your Family Faces a
Critical Legal Moment

A difficult separation or divorce near Paddington can feel overwhelming. Shortlands Solicitors is here with expert family law advice – calm, clear and completely on your side.

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

ABOUT Us

Shortlands Solicitors - London's Trusted Family Law Firm

Shortlands Solicitors is a specialist boutique family law firm with 20 years of experience built entirely around the most complex end of divorce and family law. Our Hammersmith, Manchester, Birmingham offices serve as the hub for a team that advises families and individuals including bankers, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth professionals  – People whose divorces involve not just the breakdown of a relationship, but the unwinding of significant financial arrangements. Pension assets, business valuations, international structures and contested settlements are the territory we know best. Complex cases are not the exception here. They are what we do.

Our Services

Family Law Services for Paddington Clients

Divorce Solicitors

We guide you through divorce with care and clarity, so your rights and your future stay protected.

Separation Agreements

We draft clear separation agreements covering finances and children, for couples who aren't ready to divorce.

Child Arrangements

We help parents reach workable, child-focused arrangements over residency and contact, even in difficult disputes.

Prenuptial &
Cohabitation Agreements

We put solid agreements in place to protect what you've built, before marriage or moving in together.

Financial Settlements

We work hard to secure the fair financial outcome you deserve, however tangled the finances.

Mediation &
Dispute Resolution

We help families resolve disagreements through calm, confidential mediation - without the toll of court.

Will Writing

We write your will with precision, so your wishes are honoured and your family provided for.

Inheritance Tax

We plan ahead to reduce your inheritance tax exposure, legally and effectively.

Divorce

Divorce Solicitors Paddington - Protecting Your Future from the Very First Step

When a marriage breaks down, the legal and financial consequences can be swift and severe.

For those near Paddington facing divorce, the importance of specialist legal advice from day one cannot be overstated. Whether the dispute centres on contested financial claims, a spouse who has already taken legal advice, or a divorce that involves business interests, pension funds or international financial structures, Shortlands Solicitors is ready to act – and to act effectively.

Our team knows exactly what these cases require: precision, discretion and the determination to reach the outcome our clients deserve. We do not settle for less – and neither should you.

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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 Arrangement Solicitors Paddington - Standing Up for Your Right to Be in Your Children's Lives

The thought of being separated from your children by a legal dispute is something no parent wants to face.

For families near Paddington dealing with contested contact, a partner threatening to relocate, or urgent safeguarding concerns, Shortlands Solicitors provides specialist child law support that combines the highest level of legal expertise with a genuine understanding of the emotional weight involved in these cases.

Our specialist solicitors has successfully resolved hundreds of residence, contact and relocation disputes – from straightforward cases to complex international proceedings. We respond with urgency when time is short and with patient, careful strategy when the situation demands a longer view.

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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

Mediation

Family Law Mediation Paddington - A Constructive Path Through Family Conflict

Contested court proceedings can extend disputes for months and leave both parties worse off.

For those near Paddington who want a more constructive, cost-effective way to resolve disputes over finances or children, Shortlands Solicitors provides expert family law mediation. Our qualified mediators create a confidential, structured space where real progress can be made – without the adversarial pressure of a courtroom.

Mediation typically delivers faster outcomes, stronger co-parenting relationships and significantly lower costs than contested litigation. Our mediators bring professional neutrality and real family law expertise to every session.

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Financial Settlement

Financial Settlement Solicitors Paddington

A financial settlement after divorce or separation needs to protect your interests now and into the future – and that requires advice tailored to your specific circumstances, not a generic approach. Our financial settlement solicitors consider every relevant factor: the length of the marriage, pension rights, each party’s earning capacity and needs, assets held, contributions made, and the accommodation and financial needs of any children. We give you an honest picture of what is achievable.

Wherever possible, we pursue settlement through negotiation, mediation, or collaboration – it is faster, considerably less costly, and far less disruptive than a contested hearing. When court is unavoidable, our specialist team is prepared and experienced. We work with the best professionals in the field to achieve the outcome you and your family need. Get in touch today.

Speak to a Expert Solicitor
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 Paddington and the Surrounding Areas

Shortlands Solicitors is based in Hammersmith, London – just a short distance from Paddington – and we advise clients from across the city. Visit us at our Hammersmith office for expert legal guidance that is always accessible.

Our network extends across England. Clients in the Midlands are supported by our Birmingham solicitors, while those across the North West can rely on our Manchester office, each providing the same specialist standard of family law advice.

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Areas We Serve

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