Countries We Cover - International Law

Specialists in English & International Family Law

Find out more about some of the international jurisdictions we have experienced with our clients.

Expert Advice, Wherever You Are

Click on the darker areas of the map to find out more about divorce and family law in those locations.

Algeria

In Algeria the Family Code regulates issues that arise during divorce. The country is a predominantly Muslim one and the UN has indicated that the Code is directly influenced by Islamic law. Women have fewer opportunities to divorce in Algeria and they have fewer property rights.

Argentina

Argentinian family and divorce law is governed by the Civil Code. But there is a degree of flexibility available to family judges that’s not always present in countries where the law is codified. Argentinian courts rely heavily on previously decided cases in the way English judges do, helping to ensure that divorce settlements are appropriate in each individual case.

Australia

Brookman Solicitors have a long standing relationship with Australia and New Zealand. Henry Brookman, an Australian himself, has worked for many years in both the Australian and English legal systems and is uniquely positioned to help clients from this part of the world.

Austria

Austria’s divorce law and its matrimonial property regime is enshrined in the Austrian civil code. For example, the principle of the separation of property applies throughout the period of marriage.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a country which operates its family law on the basis of Sharia (Islamic) law. We regularly deal with cases involving Bangladeshi nationals, or those who married them.

Barbados

With its colonial past and membership of the Commonwealth, Barbados and the courts there are still influenced to a degree by English law and custom.

Belgium

Belgium is at the heart of the EU and accordingly is party to all the relevant European regulations. It is also signatory to the Hague Convention on the International Aspects of Child Abduction. The divorce procedure involves a compulsory preliminary reconciliation stage which can delay matters.

Brazil

We were recently successful in winning a jurisdiction battle which enabled the proceedings to continue in Brazil rather than in England.

Bulgaria

There are significant differences in the way the courts in Bulgaria and those in England decide family law issues. So it’s essential to get specialist family law advice if your case includes an element of Bulgarian law or either spouse is Bulgarian.

Canada

There is a uniform divorce law enacted by the central government but administered by the provincial courts. Therefore the lawyers concerned should be practising within that province. Brookman has dealt with numerous cases relating to Canada.

China

If you are an expatriate living in China then you may find that you fall into a legal vacuum. China may refuse to deal with your matter so we would strongly recommend you discuss your issue with Brookman who have dealt with Chinese cases previously.

Colombia

For international couples the Colombian courts have wide powers to take on responsibility for dealing with a divorce, including the financial aspects of separation. Not only British couples living in Colombia can get divorced there – so too can British couples who have left the country but still have a right to reside there. This has consequences for individuals who may wish to divorce in England and Wales.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic law on divorce is very consistent with other continental European countries. There is a civil code which sets out the rules for divorce, financial arrangements and decisions on children matters.

Denmark

Denmark is not a signatory to the Brussels II (bis) which makes it an anomaly within Europe if there is any argument as to jurisdiction. We have experience dealing with Debmark so can advise clients how they may best proceed.

Egypt

Historically Egyptian family law and divorce has tended to favour and protect the economic and social status of husbands at the expense of wives. To a degree this is still the case but the system is changing and widespread reform of the law has been proposed.

England

Brookman Solicitors is a long established London family law firm specialising in divorce and family law both in England and internationally. Find out more about divorce in England and Wales, financial settlements, children's issues, pre-nuptial agreements and international divorce.

Ethiopia

The choice of jurisdiction can make a big difference to any divorce outcome. Spousal maintenance for example, is restricted in Ethiopia. We advise clients in circumstances where they may have the choice to divorce in either Ethiopia or through the courts of England and Wales.

Finland

Finland is a member state of the European Union and as such is party to the cross border regulations dealing with divorce. No grounds are required for a divorce in Finland.

France

Brookman was recently successful in defeating an application under the Hague Convention made by a French National.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar’s family law closely matches that of England. Furthermore, the grounds of jurisdiction are very similar, and although Gibraltar is not an EU country, nevertheless it adopts certain EU Regulations to achieve consistency in the exercise of jurisdiction.

Greece

There are two procedures for obtaining a divorce in Greece. We are experienced in handling divorce and family cases relating to Greece and the EU countries.

Hong Kong

In order to start divorce proceedings in Hong Kong the parties must have a substantial connection with the jurisdiction. We have experience dealing with Hong Kong so can advise clients how they may best proceed.

Hungary

We are regularly involved in cases with an international dimension. This includes divorce of Hungarian nationals or divorce of individuals with a connection to Hungary. Our clients may be seeking a divorce, or have issues relating to their family finances or are wishing to resolve a dispute regarding children.

India

Indian statute applies different rules to marriage and divorce, depending on the parties’ personal circumstances. We have particular expertise in dealing with such issues concerning parties who have connections to England and Wales.

Indonesia

Family law and divorce regulations in Indonesia are strongly influenced by cultural and religious factors. We represent UK clients living there as well as Indonesians resident in the UK who need to navigate the divorce laws of both countries to secure a settlement.

Iran

It is well known that Iran adheres to its school of Sharia law. This overlays a civil system that records family status. Hence there is a register that records whether someone is single, married or divorced, and although the divorce has to be religious, the fact of it is noted on the register.

Ireland

Ireland is a later comer to divorce law, but we are nonetheless experienced in matters relating to Ireland. The courts and procedure are based on the common law model, and the Irish and English common law jurisdictions have historically contributed greatly to each other.

Italy

Divorce under Italian law can be complex – we have a great deal of experience in advising Italian clients on the best route to take.

Japan

Recognition of Japanese divorces can be problematic, in particular as to Kyogi Rikon divorces. We have extensive experience of these.

Luxembourg

As international family lawyers we represent clients from Luxembourg living in the UK who are going through divorce. We also act for people who may have got married in Luxembourg, whose spouse is from the country or who have some other link to the country.

Malaysia

British colonial influence in countries like Malaysia is illustrated by the impact English law still has on the territory. 1956 legislation enables Malaysian judges to apply English common law in family matters where no equivalent Malaysian law has been introduced.

Maldives

We are specialist international divorce and family lawyers. We advise clients who are either UK-based but originate from the Maldives or who were married in the Maldives. We also act for people who need family law advice and who have some other link to the country.

Malta

As international family lawyers we sometimes act for clients who are getting divorced and who have some legal connection to Malta. One spouse may be from Malta for example or the marriage may have been celebrated there. Alternatively the couple may have resided in Malta during the marriage.

Mauritius

Mauritian family law is heavily influenced by the island’s French and British colonial past. Since independence the family and divorce laws have been amended several times in an effort to redress some of the inequality that previously existed in relation to property rights.

Mexico

Mexico deals with divorce matters for its own residents. Usually, to initiate a divorce, you must be a legal resident in Mexico. Because Mexico operates a federal system, there can be a great discrepancy between different states and how they operate.

Monaco

As is well known, Monaco is a self-governing principality. Whilst its foreign affairs are subject to France, it is not a member of the EU and accordingly does not come within the network of regulations.

Morocco

Morocco operates a personal status law known as the “Mudawna”. This is essentially the family code of Morocco and is based on Sharia jurisprudence.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands law in relation to the breakdown of marriage and welfare of children principally relies on the Dutch Civil Code, and its particular chapters relating to family law, separation and dissolution of marriage.

New Zealand

New Zealand grants divorces on the basis of separation. New Zealand legislation sets quite strict guidelines as to how financial outcomes are to be decided.

Nigeria

Nigeria has a Matrimonial Causes Act to regulate divorce. However there are several marriage systems in Nigeria and each frequently take charge of their own procedures. In principle, divorce is on a ‘no fault’ basis although fault frequently appears to be used in argument.

Norway

Norway is not a member state of the EU and accordingly the EU regulations do not apply. There is divorce as of right if the parties have been separated for a year.

The Philippines

The Philippines is the only UN member country, apart from Vatican City, that does not currently permit divorce. The Family Code does include provisions for alternatives to divorce, including annulment. We act for Filipino citizens and those with a connection to the country who may be impacted by Filipino family law when they want to divorce.

Pakistan

A great deal of care is required in respect of recognition of divorces from Pakistan. Professional legal advice is strongly advised.

Peru

It’s a common misconception that if you live in Peru you must get divorced there. Conversely some people incorrectly assume that if they have been married abroad they aren’t subject to Peruvian divorce law.

Poland

It is not uncommon for individuals who have a connection with Poland to be able to divorce in England. It is certainly worth seeking early advice from a lawyer as the choice of country in which proceedings take place may well be important, particularly in terms of the financial outcomes.

Portugal

The divorce rate in Portugal is around 70%. Even though the rate is high it has actually decreased in recent years. We advise clients with a connection to Portugal on a wide range of family law matters, including divorce and child arrangements following separation or divorce.

Russia

When divorce is overseen properly, Russia is known as having one of the world’s most lenient procedures, and couples are sometimes able to end their marriages in a single court procedure. However we would recommend you discuss your issue with Brookman who have dealt with Russian cases previously.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian family law is dealt with by Sharia law. Any proceedings in that country must strictly adhere to Islamic law. Therefore parties with a connection to England should check the position of any Saudi ruling carefully.

Scotland

Some of the grounds for divorce in Scotland differ from those in England. In Scotland, the grounds for divorce are: Behaviour, Adultery, One year's separation with consent, Two years' separation without the requirement of the other party's consent.

South Africa

We regularly deal with South and East Africa. In recent years we successfully concluded a ground breaking Child Support case relating to South Africa.

Singapore

Singapore derives its legal system and procedures primarily from the common law (British) tradition. Its Courts have increasingly been asked to intervene in international matrimonial disputes.

South Korea

The legal systems in the UK and South Korea are very different. We provide the specialist legal advice that’s needed when UK citizens based in South Korea and Korean people living in the UK are getting divorced.

Spain

If an English couple have been living in Spain for a number of years they can apply for a divorce in their local Spanish Court. However, they would need to establish grounds for divorce under the laws of England.

Sweden

Divorce in Sweden is governed by the marriage code. Throughout the marriage each spouse individually continues to own all of his or her property. There is no liability for the other’s debts. However a divorce triggers a potential claim to have the assets treated as ‘community property’, in principle to be divided equally.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a confederation of 26 cantons, with legislative competence divided between the confederation and the cantons. Federal law governs family and divorce matters. However such matters are dealt with in the Courts of the individual cantons, so the procedural law may vary considerably.

Thailand

We act regularly for UK clients living in Thailand as well as Thai citizens in the UK and others with a connection to Thailand who wish to divorce. Culturally the legal system in Thailand is markedly different from the legal system in England and Wales.

Tunisia

Where there is the possibility that your divorce could be finalised in either Tunisia or the UK we can provide up to date advice and clarity as to where you might obtain a more satisfactory settlement.

Turkey

Turkey is a country which operates a civil code, notwithstanding many of its citizens being conservative Muslims.

United Arab Emirates

We act for many clients within this jurisdiction, be they UAE Nationals living in England or Wales, or British expatriates residing there.

Ukraine

Ukraine is a civil law jurisdiction. The Family Code determines the principles of marriage, financial arrangements within marriage and upon divorce, and obligations in relation to children.

USA

Brookman often deals with cases linked to the USA. There is no uniform “US divorce law” - the States broadly divide into those where the law derives from English common law concepts and those which adopt a more Hispanic formula-based approach.

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I would like to say my experience with Mr Brookman was an extremely positive experience. His knowledge, advice and compassion put me very much at ease and made a very difficult situation much more bearable.

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Knowledgable, friendly, considerate, and most importantly easy to contact. Brilliant service.

Dec 2020 John Du

I want to highly commend Brookman Solicitors firm. I had the privilege of getting very thorough and sensible advice from their solicitor Jennifer Douglas. I don't have enough praise for her.

Sep 2020 Yesima Hamid

I had an initial consultation and Henry was well prepared. He gave great advice and followed through quite quickly. He was very helpful.

Jul 2020 Jen Ade

I had a free consultation with Henry Brookman. He was incredibly knowledgeable about my complex situation, gave straightforward advice and empowered me to understand exactly how I need to proceed.

Jun 2020 Rebeca Brown

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