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Family Law Solicitors Westminster
Specialist Legal Guidance
When Your Needs It

Facing a divorce or family law dispute in Westminster? Shortlands Solicitors provides specialist, discreet family law advice – protecting everything you have worked for.

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

ABOUT Us

Shortlands Solicitors - London's Trusted Family Law Firm

For over 20 years, Shortlands Solicitors has been the firm that high-net-worth individuals turn to when a divorce or separation involves real financial complexity. We work with families and individuals, including bankers, entrepreneurs and business owners across London who need a legal team that truly understands what is at stake – not just legally, but financially and personally. Our approach is focused, strategic and always discreet. We do not offer a generic service, because complex situations never call for one. When the stakes are high, we make sure the outcome reflects the effort you have put into building your life.

Our Services

Family Law Services for Surrey Clients

Divorce Solicitors

Legal representation through every stage of divorce - protecting your financial position when stakes are high.

Separation Agreements

Legally binding terms covering finances and children - without requiring a formal divorce.

Child Arrangements

Resolving disputes over residency, contact and parental relocation - with your child's welfare the deciding factor.

Prenuptial &
Cohabitation Agreements

Watertight agreements to protect personal and business wealth before you marry or move in together.

Financial Settlements

Forensic negotiation across assets, pensions and business interests - securing settlements that reflect your true position.

Mediation &
Dispute Resolution

Qualified, confidential mediation to reach agreement without court - faster, cheaper, and less damaging to future co-parenting.

Will Writing

Precisely drafted wills that reflect your wishes and remove ambiguity for those you leave behind.

Inheritance Tax

Legitimate estate planning strategies to reduce your inheritance tax exposure and preserve more of what you have built.

Divorce

Divorce Solicitors Westminster - The Specialist Support Your Case Deserves

For individuals inluding executives, business owners and professionals in Westminster facing the breakdown of a marriage, the complexity of the financial picture can be significant – business interests, pension assets, international structures and a spouse who may already have legal advice in place. Shortlands Solicitors has the specialist expertise, the experience and the determination to protect your interests across all of it.

With over 20 years of  experience, we handle contested financial settlements, undisclosed asset investigations, business valuations and pension disputes with precision and complete discretion. We are results-driven – and the outcome we drive for is yours.

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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 Westminster - Protecting What Matters Most

No professional success matters as much as being there for your children.

For parents in and around Westminster dealing with disputes over contact, a threatened relocation or urgent concerns about a child’s safety and welfare, Shortlands Solicitors brings both specialist legal expertise and the sensitivity that cases involving children demand. We take these cases seriously – because we understand what is truly at stake.

Our child law team has resolved hundreds of residence, contact and relocation disputes, including complex international matters requiring urgent legal action. We act decisively when the situation demands it and with strategic care when the long-term wellbeing of your children calls for a different approach.

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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 Westminster - Find Resolution Without the Cost of the Courts

For those in Westminster seeking to resolve family disputes over finances or children without the cost and stress of contested proceedings, Shortlands Solicitors provides expert family law mediation. Our mediators bring professional neutrality, structured process and deep family law knowledge to every session – making real, lasting resolution possible.

Mediation delivers faster outcomes, at significantly lower cost, and with considerably less damage to family relationships than litigation. For many clients, it is the right place to start – and our mediators will help you get the most from it.

Speak To a Mediation Solicitor

Financial Settlement

Financial Settlement Solicitors Westminster

Westminster’s growing professional population brings a wide range of financial situations to separation proceedings – from significant property and corporate equity to professional pensions and investment portfolios. Our financial settlement solicitors understand that complexity and approach every case individually. We examine your full financial picture – assets, income, pension rights, needs of any children, and contributions made – and advise honestly on what a realistic settlement looks like for your specific circumstances.

We always seek resolution through negotiation, mediation, or collaboration before any court process is considered. Where a contested hearing becomes necessary, our specialist team prepares thoroughly and draws on a strong network of professional experts to pursue the best outcome. Strategic, experienced, and focused on what matters to you. Speak to our team 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 Westminster and the Surrounding Areas

Shortlands Solicitors is based in Hammersmith, London – easily accessible from Westminster and across Central London. We offer in-person consultations at our Hammersmith office, making specialist family law advice easy to access.

We support clients throughout England. Our Birmingham team handles cases across the Midlands, while our Manchester office serves clients throughout the North West – each operating with the same depth of specialist expertise.

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Areas We Serve

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