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Family Law Solicitors Surrey
Specialist Legal Guidance
When Your Needs It

Facing a divorce or family law matter in Surrey? Shortlands Solicitors provides London-grade specialist expertise – available to you from wherever you are.

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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 family law firm with over 20 years of experience standing beside individuals through some of the most difficult moments of their lives – divorce, high-value financial settlements and complex separations. Families and individuals including Bankers, entrepreneurs and business owners  across London choose us because they need focused, strategic legal counsel, not a one-size-fits-all service. We bring deep expertise and quiet discretion to every case we handle. When the financial picture is complicated – and it often is – we cut through the complexity and protect what our clients have spent years building.

Our Services

Family Law Services for Surrey Clients

Divorce Solicitors

Sharp, experienced representation through divorce, from first filing to final settlement.

Separation Agreements

Clear, enforceable agreements on finances and children when divorce isn't the next step.

Child Arrangements

Resolving contact and residency disputes swiftly, always putting your children first.

Prenuptial &
Cohabitation Agreements

Protecting your assets and interests with agreements that hold up when it matters.

Financial Settlements

Securing a fair, thorough financial outcome - even in the most complex cases.

Mediation &
Dispute Resolution

Confidential mediation that resolves disputes without the cost or strain of litigation.

Will Writing

Wills drafted with precision, so your estate is distributed exactly as intended.

Inheritance Tax

Forward-thinking planning that legitimately cuts your inheritance tax liability.

Divorce

Divorce Solicitors Surrey - The Specialist Support Your Case Deserves

For those across Surrey facing the end of a marriage, the financial consequences are rarely minor – particularly for business owners, senior executives and high-net-worth individuals with substantial pension assets, business interests and complex financial arrangements. Shortlands Solicitors brings the boutique specialist expertise that cases of this kind demand – fighting to secure what you are genuinely entitled to.

Our team has over 20 years of experience in high-value divorce – from contested financial claims and business valuations to pension fund disputes and investigations into undisclosed assets. We bring the same rigorous, focused approach to every client we represent.

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 Surrey - Your Children's Future Is Worth Protecting

A contested child arrangement dispute is among the hardest legal situations any parent will face.

For families across Surrey dealing with broken contact, threatened relocation or welfare concerns involving their children, Shortlands Solicitors offers specialist legal support underpinned by real compassion. We understand that behind every legal case is a parent who simply wants to remain a central part of their child’s life – and we fight to make that happen.

Our child law team has resolved hundreds of disputes – covering residence, contact and relocation across both UK and international cases. We know when to move decisively and when a carefully considered strategy will achieve a better long-term outcome for your children.

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 Surrey - An Alternative Worth Considering

Court proceedings should be the last resort in any family dispute – not the first.

For individuals and families across Surrey looking to resolve financial or child-related disputes through dialogue rather than litigation, Shortlands Solicitors offers expert family mediation. Our qualified mediators bring structure, confidentiality and deep legal knowledge to every session – helping both parties find a path forward that they can genuinely accept.

Mediation resolves matters faster, at a fraction of the cost of court, and with far less damage to the family relationships that will continue long after the dispute is settled. It is often the best place to start.

Speak To a Mediation Solicitor

Financial Settlement

Financial Settlement Solicitors Surrey

Across Surrey, financial settlements following a divorce or separation often involve significant assets – family homes, pension portfolios, business interests, and investment holdings – that require specialist legal and financial analysis. Our financial settlement solicitors look at your individual circumstances in full before advising on strategy. The court considers many factors: the length of the marriage, the needs of each party and any children, contributions made, earning capacity, and accommodation requirements. We give you honest guidance on what is realistically achievable.

We always look to resolve matters through negotiation, mediation, or collaboration – it is more cost-effective, less adversarial, and produces outcomes that are more likely to hold. Where the court is unavoidable, our specialist team is ready. We work with valuers, forensic accountants, and leading professionals to achieve the best result for you and your family. Contact us 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 Surrey and the Surrounding Areas

Shortlands Solicitors is based in Hammersmith, London – and we regularly advise clients across the South East, including those throughout Surrey. We offer in-person appointments at our Hammersmith office at a time that suits you.

We support clients across England, with our Birmingham office serving the Midlands and our Manchester team covering the North West. All three offices bring the same focused family law expertise to every case.

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Areas We Serve

  • Acton
  • Ealing
  • Chiswick
  • Hammersmith
  • Shepherd's Bush
  • Southall
  • Croydon
  • Wimbledon
  • Wandsworth
  • Richmond
  • Battersea
  • Marble Arch
  • East London
  • West London
  • Brentford
  • Westminster

Our Affiliation

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