Why London is the divorce capital of the world

Alex Bright
December 6, 2013

London is one of the biggest and most progressive cities in the world. A hub of finance, technology and industry, it attracts not only the most ambitious talent from the UK, but also around the world. There is, however, another less desirable area where London is a world leader. More divorces are finalised in London than anywhere else in the world, and in this article, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons for this.

Population

The first, and most obvious reason for the amount of divorces in London is down to the sheer size and density of its population. With over 8 million residents, it is among the biggest cities in the world.

Administration

In addition to the number of natives who get divorced every year, many couples from across the UK and internationally come to the city finalise their divorce. This is one of the reasons for the inflated divorce numbers in London.

English law is respected all over the world

English law is respected and admired all over the world, making the country the natural place for people to go when they are seeking a fair outcome.

Larger settlements

Spouses with wealthy partners will often seek to get divorced in London due to the fact that can expect to receive a far more attractive settlement than they could achieve elsewhere. Many divorce lawyers push for a divorce to be agreed and settled in London because it would be financially beneficial to their client.

Looking at assets in a deeper way

In London, and England and Wales in general, although the concept of a 50/50 split of assets created during the term of the marriage exists, there is a greater focus on available resources. This means that elements such as offshore assets, assets held in company names and trust assets will form part of the divorce settlement, whereas they may not in other countries and cities.

Experienced lawyers and firms

London is home to some of the most experienced divorce lawyers and firms in the world. A firm with considerable experience and highly professional lawyers with considerable training and understanding of the laws and precedents in divorce cases can help clients to achieve a better outcome than they may hope for elsewhere. Firms such as Brookman Solicitors are noted for their success in gaining the best possible settlements for their clients.