Shortlands

  • Call Us (24/7):
Menu
Menu

Family Law Solicitors East London
Expert Support When
Your Family Needs It Most

Separation, divorce or a custody dispute in East London? Shortlands Solicitors provides the specialist legal advice and steady support that makes the difference.

Book a Consultation
Speak To a Solicitor
  • 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 over 20 years of experience guiding individuals through the most demanding legal and personal challenges of their lives. Based in Hammersmith, London, we are the firm of choice for families and individuals, including bankers, entrepreneurs, business owners and high-net-worth professionals  facing complex divorce, substantial asset division and intricate financial settlements. We bring focused expertise – with a track record of achieving outstanding outcomes for clients with significant pension assets, business interests and international financial structures. 

Our Services

Family Law Services for East London Clients

Divorce Solicitors

Expert legal guidance through divorce - protecting your rights, assets and future from day one.

Separation Agreements

Clear, binding agreements covering finances and children when you separate but are not yet divorcing.

Child Arrangements

Specialist support for residency, contact and parenting disputes - always with your children's welfare at heart.

Prenuptial &
Cohabitation Agreements

Legally sound agreements to protect your wealth and business before marriage or moving in together.

Financial Settlements

Skilled negotiation to secure a fair division of assets, pensions and finances - however complex your situation.

Mediation &
Dispute Resolution

Structured, confidential mediation to resolve family disputes without the cost and stress of court proceedings.

Will Writing

Professionally drafted wills to ensure your wishes are protected and your loved ones are provided for.

Inheritance Tax

Strategic estate planning to legitimately reduce your inheritance tax liability and protect what you have built.

Divorce

Divorce Solicitors East London - Protecting Everything You Have Worked For

Divorce can unravel years of hard work, careful planning and shared financial building if it is not handled correctly.

If you are based in East London and facing the breakdown of your marriage, getting the right legal team behind you from the outset is critical. Complex financial structures, business interests, pension assets and a spouse who has already taken advice – these are all situations where Shortlands Solicitors brings the specialist expertise needed to protect what you are entitled to.

With more than 20 years handling high-net-worth divorce, we understand the full complexity of contested financial settlements, hidden assets and business valuations. We work with focus and discretion – and we do not stop fighting until the right outcome is achieved.

Speak To a Divorce Solicitor
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 East London - Because Your Children Deserve Stability

Nothing tests a parent more than a legal dispute over the children they love. Across East London, child arrangement disputes after separation are among the most emotionally and legally demanding challenges a family can face. Collapsed contact, a partner planning to relocate, welfare concerns, or an urgent need for court intervention – whatever the situation, Shortlands Solicitors respond with the right expertise and the right level of care.

Our specialist lawyers has successfully handled hundreds of residence, contact and relocation cases – including complex international proceedings. We act with urgency where needed and with considered strategy where the situation demands it.

Speak To a Child Law Solicitor
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 East London - Resolve Disputes on Your Terms

Litigation is not always the answer – and it is rarely the easiest path through a family dispute. For individuals and families across East London who want to resolve disagreements over finances or children without the damaging toll of contested court proceedings, Shortlands Solicitors provides expert family law mediation. Our qualified mediators create a structured, confidential environment where meaningful progress can be made and lasting agreements can be built.

Mediation is quicker, considerably cheaper and far less harmful to co-parenting relationships than litigation. Our mediators combine genuine neutrality with deep family law expertise – and that combination makes a real difference.

Speak To a Mediation Solicitor

Financial Settlement

Financial Settlement Solicitors East London

A financial settlement after separation needs to be realistic, workable, and genuinely protective of your future. Our East London financial settlement solicitors approach every case individually – there is no formula, and the right outcome depends on the facts: the duration of the marriage, each party’s needs, pension entitlements, earning capacity, contributions made, and accommodation requirements for any children. We take the time to understand your position fully before advising on strategy.

We pursue settlement through negotiation, mediation, or collaboration wherever possible – it produces better outcomes at lower cost and far less stress. When a contested hearing is unavoidable, we are prepared. We work with forensic accountants, valuers, and other specialists to build a compelling case and protect your interests. Talk to our team today for clear, focused advice.

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.

Request a Consultation
02076299905

Coverage

Serving East London and
the Surrounding Areas

Shortlands Solicitors is based in Hammersmith, London, and we support clients from right across the city, including those in and around East London.

The majority of our clients come from across London, although we regularly support individuals throughout England. Our Birmingham office serves clients across the Midlands, and our Manchester office supports those in the North West and beyond, handling the full range of family law matters with the same level of specialist expertise. Book a consultation and visit our London, Birmingham, or Manchester office at a time that works for you.

Book a Consultation

Areas We Serve

Our Affiliation

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Please fill the form below to arrange your fixed cost initial appointment.

    REQUEST A CALL BACK

    Please fill the form below to request a free call back: