Bristol divorce lawyers & family solicitors

Solicitor negotiation can be an early option when you’d rather not engage directly, with your solicitor corresponding and negotiating on your behalf. Reaching an agreement will depend on the other party engaging, and if they refuse or talks stall, court may still be necessary.

Mediation may suit you when both parties are willing to work with an independent mediator. Your lawyer advises alongside the process and can help formalise any agreement reached, including applying for a consent order where finances are involved. If no agreement is reached, court remains an option.

Collaborative law may suit you when you both want legal support throughout while keeping matters constructive. You each appoint a collaboratively trained solicitor and commit to resolving matters without court. If the process breaks down, you would normally both need to appoint new solicitors for any contested proceedings.

Both options require the agreement of both parties. Arbitration produces a binding decision from an independent arbitrator (though a financial award will normally still need to be reflected in a court order), while a private FDR offers a non-binding indication from an independent evaluator to help move negotiations forward, with court remaining an option if no settlement follows. Your solicitor prepares your case, advises you throughout, and helps you act on the outcome.

Court can be appropriate at any stage. Unlike mediation, collaborative law, arbitration or a private FDR, the other party does not need to agree to an application, and your solicitor can guide you throughout and either represent you or arrange for a barrister to represent you where needed. It may be the right first step where there are safeguarding concerns, a risk of harm, or a real risk that assets may be transferred or disposed of. Where there are concerns about incomplete financial disclosure, court may also become necessary, though this will depend on the circumstances.

Yes. Our Bristol divorce lawyers can help whether you are starting a sole or joint divorce application or have received an application from your spouse. We can check the information provided, help you complete the relevant documents and explain each stage through to the conditional and final orders. We can also advise separately on finances or arrangements for children, as these are not resolved by the divorce application itself.

We’ve helped numerous Bristol clients with their divorce applications. If you’ve been served a divorce application that names you as the ‘respondent’, it means you need to agree you have received the application as well as inform the courts if you dispute any of it. However, it’s easy to feel unsure how to do this correctly due to all of the legal jargon. That’s where we come in. Our divorce lawyers will guide you through the application process in terms that make sense to you, so you feel confident about your decisions.

Divorce in England and Wales follows a set legal timetable, so it cannot be completed quickly, even where both people agree. In practice, a straightforward and uncontested divorce usually takes around six to eight months from start to finish. There is a minimum 20-week period before you can apply for the conditional order, followed by a further minimum six-week period before the final order.

Timescales can be longer where finances or arrangements for children still need to be agreed, or where one spouse does not properly engage with the process.

In these situations, people often speak to a divorce solicitor to understand what can realistically move things forward, particularly where concerns arise about how long a spouse can drag out a divorce.

No. Divorce and civil partnership dissolution in England and Wales use a no-fault process. The application confirms that the relationship has broken down irretrievably; allegations about adultery or behaviour are not required.

The divorce itself does not automatically end financial claims. The team can advise on property, savings, pensions, income, debts and business interests and help formalise an agreement through a consent order where appropriate.

Many family matters are resolved without a final court hearing. Where proceedings are needed, the Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre is at 2 Redcliff Street, Bristol, BS1 6GR.

The court is around a 10-minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads and approximately five minutes from our Finzels Reach office. Bristol Bridge bus stops are nearby, while Redcliffe Parade and Queen Square car parks are within walking distance.

Your hearing notice will confirm where you need to attend. Your lawyer will explain what documents to bring and whether they or another advocate will represent you.

Yes. Our Bristol divorce lawyers offer fixed-fee divorce options for straightforward, uncontested divorce applications, with the work included and costs confirmed before it begins.

The divorce application is separate from resolving finances or child arrangements. If you need help with these or another part of your case, we can explain the available support and costs based on your circumstances.

At Stowe, we believe that the best legal support comes from those who are truly integrated into the local community. Our Bristol team is led by lawyers who hold key roles in the region. Rachel Fisher serves as the Chair of the Bristol Junior Lawyers Division, while Joanna Newton is the Chair of Bristol YRes, an organisation dedicated to promoting a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law.

We are proud to support the vital work of Jessie May Children’s Hospice, providing specialist care to local families. We have also supported Aerospace Bristol and the Arnolfini Arts Centre and have had a partnership with Bristol Rovers.

To discover more about our initiatives and partnerships within the city, please visit our local Bristol partnerships page.

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What to Expect at Bristol Civil & Family Court