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If you are a foreign national, married or in a relationship with a foreign national, or have lived for a substantial period of time abroad, then any relationship breakdown will involve decisions over where proceedings should be issued, and the steps to take to ensure that you obtain the best possible outcome.  If there are already proceedings in foreign jurisdictions (and you may be considering adopting a child from abroad) then our team of specialists will guide you through the options available to you in the English and Welsh courts.

Our Family law team is able to offer advice on the following:

  • the correct procedure and grounds where there is a jurisdiction conflict
  • the correct forum
  • dealing with foreign property within a relationship breakdown and securing the same by court proceedings or otherwise
  • adoption when bringing the child from abroad
  • the stages and procedures of the proceedings both here and abroad
  • drafting and negotiating pre-nuptial or community of property agreements
  • enforceability in different jurisdictions
  • children issues, such as those arising out of The Hague Convention and disputes over country of residence
  • relocation and emigration issues, with or without children of the family.
For further information on any of the issues raised here, contact Christine Plews, head of our Family law team here in the UK and specialist on managing international issues, on 01865 254213 or by email at christine.plews@bllaw.co.uk.