The UK or Russia: Where should I divorce?

Vardags is a leading international divorce law firm representing high net worth (HNW) and ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals with ties to both Russia and the United Kingdom. It’s well-known that some of London’s most high-profile divorce cases have involved Russian couples, with settlements reaching billions of pounds and legal fees to match. In today’s world, where nearly half of marriages end in divorce, understanding your legal rights is crucial. 

When multiple countries have jurisdiction over a divorce, the key question becomes: which jurisdiction offers the most favourable financial settlement?

Divorce in Russia

In Russia, the procedure for ending a marriage is governed by Russian law, and there are two routes to obtain a divorce:

• The administrative route applies when both parties consent to the divorce and have no minor children.
• The judicial route is used for contested divorce applications or if the parties have minor children.

Similar to England, Russian law recognises only one ground for divorce: the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. What’s different is that, in Russia, there are no specialised family courts. All family matters, including the division of financial assets, fall under the jurisdiction of district courts, which handle all civil disputes.

In contrast, in England, family disputes are decided by specialised family courts or judges. The courts are able to offer:

• Broad discretion to redistribute assets and income
• Recognition of non-financial contributions (e.g. homemaking, childcare)
• A starting point of 50/50 division of matrimonial assets
• Ongoing spousal maintenance based on needs and lifestyle

This makes England and Wales a preferred jurisdiction for many international divorces, especially for the financially weaker spouse.

Can you get divorced in England if you married in Russia?  

Yes - English courts will recognise a foreign marriage as long as it is valid in the country where it was performed. For a Russian marriage to be recognised in England, it must adhere to the formalities required in Russia. 

However, whether you can apply for a divorce in England depends on which countries have jurisdiction over your case. Generally, you can only apply for a divorce in England if you or your spouse meet the criteria for habitual residence or domicile. The rules around jurisdiction in England and Wales are complex, so it’s crucial to seek specialist legal advice to determine the best possible route for your situation. 

If both England and Wales and Russia can deal with your case... 

Then you have a choice. 

Choosing the jurisdiction for your divorce can significantly impact the financial outcome. London is often called the ‘divorce capital of the world’ because it has hosted some of the world’s messiest and most expensive divorces. This is due to the overarching principle of fairness in the English courts, where there is no discrimination between the breadwinner and the homemaker of the marriage, and the contributions by each are just as valuable. 

It is also noteworthy that the Russian courts consider the martial property to be only that which is registered in the parties’ personal names, and therefore excludes the companies, trusts and other structures, where most marriage-generated wealth is often engulfed. Unlike the Russian courts, English courts can deal with the corporate structures and to order, amongst other things, their unwinding, sale or transfer of shares.

If you have a connection with a different jurisdiction, whether it is Russia or another country, you should first establish whether you can get divorced in those jurisdictions and, if so, what the financial outcome may be compared to England and Wales. This information should be obtained without delay so that you preserve the option to issue proceedings in a country that is most favourable to you. Contact Vardags for a free initial consultation with one of our expert divorce solicitors. 

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Какие преимущества развода в Англии и Уэльсе?

Суды стран СНГ и соседних государств строго ограничены рамками закона при разрешении семейных споров. Как правило, совместно нажитое имущество распределяется поровну, а личные активы остаются за пределами пристального внимания суда. Финансово незащищенная сторона спора имеет право на содержание лишь в исключительных обстоятельствах, например, когда она нетрудоспособна, беременна или ухаживает за ребёнком с ограниченными возможностями.

В то же время, английский суд присуждает гораздо более щедрые компенсации тому, кто занимался домашним очагом и воспитанием детей. Суд исходит из того, что это не менее важные аспекты семейной жизни, чем обеспечение достатка, и материальные блага при разводе нужно распределять соответственно.

Vardags’ team of top divorce lawyers serving clients in Russia delivers a bespoke legal service to HNW and UHNW individuals, their families, and businesses.