The number of families who have links to more than one country grows daily, with marriages and civil partnerships between citizens of different countries common. Nowadays, families frequently navigate employment, business and property interests across the world. If you find yourself in this complex situation, it's crucial to seek guidance from an experienced family lawyer with knowledge in managing cross-border disputes, particularly in the unfortunate event of a relationship breakdown and where children are involved.
International Divorce
Any separation is difficult, but resolving the financial, property and child-related issues raised by international divorce can be particularly complex. You might be an expat UK national facing a divorce overseas, or a returned expat whose spouse is still abroad and wishes to divorce. You might need to deal with UK-based assets in an international divorce or be looking to divorce in the UK while living abroad.
Our experienced international divorce lawyers, based in Glasgow and Edinburgh, understand the legal and practical issues raised in both Scottish and English expat divorce and have contacts worldwide who can assist in navigating these issues to achieve a better and more cost-effective outcome.
Perhaps securing a decision on the location of where your children live is of upmost importance, or agreement on where children spend school holidays needs to be resolved. Our team is well-versed in the issues that may arise.
Dubai and UAE Divorce
We offer an expert service for UK expats living and working in the UAE who need UK divorce advice.
Couples and families living in the UAE will often remain 'domiciled' in their home country. For Scots living abroad, this means you may have the choice of dealing with divorce and financial issues in the Scottish courts. If this is an option for you, our team of experienced international divorce lawyers can offer clear and practical advice to help make this happen.
Our experienced international divorce team has acted for a number of clients based in, or who have recently moved from, Dubai and the UAE. We can advise on the complexities that often arise in cases involving the UAE, and understand the particular pressures and concerns which international families face. Although we do not advise upon Sharia or UAE law, we can liaise with local lawyers in the UAE, to work out the best solution for each individual case.
We have dealt with Scottish divorce cases involving overseas and offshore assets and assets held in trust, and have significant expertise in resolving international child abduction cases. With three highly experienced dual-qualified (England/Scotland) lawyers in our team, we can advise on UK divorce law and litigate in both Scotland and England/Wales.
As well as explaining the law, we know how to make the logistics easier for you. If you are based in the UAE, we understand that your working week is usually Sunday to Thursday, and we can consult at a local time convenient to you. We are experienced in project management of complicated cases including instructing translators; arranging for service of papers worldwide; coordinating the contributions of overseas lawyers; liaising with overseas witnesses; and obtaining documents and other evidence from foreign jurisdictions.
International relocation and parental child abduction
If a parent wants to move to another country or go on holiday with their children, whether within the UK or beyond, they must either get consent from the other parent or obtain permission from the court via a specific issue order. Failure to do so could potentially lead to international child abduction implications if the legal aspects of child relocation are not addressed.
Our family lawyers specialising in international law offer expert advice to any parent requiring assistance with international relocation or international child abduction. We regularly assist clients, wherever they may be based in the world, to secure the return of their children to their home country or defend such actions.
Our international family lawyers can help you with:
- Advice on how to legally relocate your children from Scotland
- Options for preventing a parental child abduction from Scotland
- Seeking return of abducted children under 1980 Hague Convention
- Advising on options for child abduction from non-Hague Convention countries
- Defending actions under 1980 Hague Convention
- Obtaining protective measures once children returned to Scotland
