INTERNATIONAL DIVORCE LAWYERS: ENGLAND & NEW ZEALAND ======================================================== Vardags is a leading family and divorce law firm for high-net-worth clients with links to both New Zealand and England or Wales - including New Zealand nationals living in the UK, and British nationals living in New Zealand. Clients in this position may have the freedom to choose where to file for divorce. Although New Zealand and England and Wales both operate common law systems, the financial outcome of a divorce will likely vary significantly depending on where it is heard - and on whether you are the economically stronger or weaker party. Vardags can advise you on which jurisdiction is likely to produce the better outcome based on a detailed evaluation of your specific circumstances. If you have already received a divorce petition in either country, it may still be possible to challenge jurisdiction and pursue proceedings in the more favourable forum. Even if you have already finalised your divorce in New Zealand, this does not necessarily draw a line under your financial claims. In certain circumstances, English courts can enhance or supplement an earlier award. Complex international divorce matters can be highly time-sensitive - it is important to contact Vardags before your spouse does. [BOOK MY FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact/consultation) "A formidable force" "Britain's Top Divorce Lawyer" "Rolls Royce service from start to finish" NEW ZEALAND DESK | OUR OFFERING ------------------------------- Recognised by Spears 500 as world-renowned in "making the law work for the global elite," and hailed by Legal 500 as "the Rolls Royce and the Ferrari of the family law world," Vardags has spent over two decades as the firm of choice for wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs, and high-profile clients navigating the highest-stakes family law matters. Founded by Ayesha Vardag - celebrated by the BBC as the "diva of divorce for the world's super rich" - we have always brought a global outlook to the most complex cross-border cases. Our New Zealand desk is able to advise on both English and New Zealand law. At the helm is Associate James Kinnely, who is triple-qualified in England and Wales, New Zealand, and Australia, having originally trained at a family law firm in New Zealand. We also have an in-house financial forensics team, able to trace and value assets across jurisdictions. For clients whose wealth spans England and Australia, this combination is rarely found under one roof. Don't just take our word for it - as mentioned in the prestigious Legal 500 index, "without doubt, they are formidable. They are in all the biggest and most difficult cases for one reason - they win". We offer a free consultation to suitable clients - wealthy individuals, successful entrepreneurs, high-profile individuals and professionals with complex family law matters. Timing matters in high-stakes family law. If you think you might need our help, don't delay. Contact us ---------- London, as the 'divorce capital of the world', is known for making generous awards to the financially weaker parties, and the court has wide discretionary powers. In these circumstances, it is imperative to act fast and instruct a lawyer as soon as possible. At Vardags, we will help ensure that your case proceeds in the most advantageous jurisdiction and secure the best possible financial outcome for you. If you are considering or going through a divorce, contact us before your spouse does. WE ARE READY TO HELP -------------------- We offer a free consultation to suitable clients, typically those where the family's net assets are in excess of £1m or the combined income is in excess of £150,000 [ Telephone 020 7404 9390](https://vardags.com/tel:020%207404%209390 "Call") Phone lines are open 24 hours WhatsApp 07385025158 Scan QR to open WhatsApp Alternatively, INTERNATIONAL DIVORCE LAWYERS: ENGLAND & NEW ZEALAND -------------------------------------------------------- ### [Ayesha Vardag](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag") Founder & President "AYESHA VARDAG - BRITAIN'S TOP DIVORCE LAWYER." The Telegraph "Britain's top divorce lawyer" Ayesha Vardag rose to fame for winning the landmark Supreme Court case of Radmacher v Granatino in 2010, changing the law to... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/london/ayesha-vardag "SELECT") ### [David Lister](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister "David Lister") Senior Partner and Head of London Family - Divorce & Family "BRILLIANT WITH A REAL SPARK WHICH CLIENTS LOVE" Legal 500 David is a Senior Partner at Vardags, and as of November 2025, is the Head of London Family. With over 35 years of experience at the forefront of the profession... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/david-lister) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/london/david-lister "SELECT") ### [Simon McKirgan](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/simon-mckirgan "Simon McKirgan") Senior Partner - Divorce & Family "[SIMON MCKIRGAN IS] IMMENSELY SKILLED AND WORKS FORMIDABLY HARD." Legal 500 A senior partner at Vardags and a top international divorce lawyer, the "immensely skilled" (Legal 500) Simon McKirgan is undoubtedly one of the best in the... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/simon-mckirgan) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/london/simon-mckirgan "SELECT") ### [James Kinnely](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/james-kinnely "James Kinnely") Associate "THE ADVICE AND LEVEL OF SERVICE IT OFFERS IS UNPARALLELED" Legal 500 James is an Associate at Vardags, specialising across the full range of matters involving family and divorce. James works as part of our Australia and New... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/james-kinnely) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/london/james-kinnely "SELECT") Related FAQS ------------ This article will address the extent to which a parent can move their child away from the other parent without their consent. A distinction will be made between moving the child to another part of the UK, as well as moving abroad. It should be noted from the outset that whether the parties have ever been married or in a civil partnership is immaterial for the purposes of relocation of the child. The important factor is whether the parent seeking to prevent the relocation has parental responsibility. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/can-my-ex-partner-move-away-with-our-children "Can my ex-partner move away with our children?") The best way to ensure your assets are protected is to conduct a thorough and accurate valuation. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/ensure-assets-protected "How can I ensure my assets are protected in my divorce?") During the process of divorce, one of the elements is the exchange of information relating to finances, known as disclosure. This is done in order to determine what a fair division of the assets will be. However, there are instances where one or both of the parties conceal or misrepresent deliberately the value of their assets. Should it be the case that certain assets are not included during disclosure, it cannot be divided, even if it's the case that it is later discovered it is likely already be disposed of. These kinds of assets are known as hidden assets and should either party be discovered to be hiding assets, the court will take serious action against them. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/how-to-uncover-hidden-assets-during-divorce-proceedings "How do you uncover hidden assets during divorce proceedings?") Often people will apply for divorce proceedings in England with the aim of maximising their claim, even if this is not justified. Jurisdiction, in cases of divorce, is governed by a complex web of law, involving multiple cross-border elements. Generally, the divorce will only be heard in England if you, or your spouse, has been resident or domiciled in England. [FIND OUT MORE](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce/spouse-file-in-england "What if my spouse unfairly files for divorce in England?") Related News ------------ [A closer look at international child relocation and parental responsibility](https://vardags.com/family-law/international-child-relocation-parental-rights "A closer look at international child relocation and parental responsibility") [Ayesha Vardag reveals her journey to becoming the 'Diva of Divorce'](https://vardags.com/family-law/ayesha-vardag-diva-of-divorce-the-sun "Ayesha Vardag reveals her journey to becoming the 'Diva of Divorce'") [Can a parent unilaterally change a child's habitual residence?](https://vardags.com/family-law/can-a-parent-unilaterally-change-a-childs-habitual-residence "Can a parent unilaterally change a childs habitual residence?") [Cross-border surrogacy and the trouble with triplings](https://vardags.com/family-law/the-trouble-with-triplings "Cross-border surrogacy and the trouble with triplings") [Finding hidden assets: the changing field of divorce finance](https://vardags.com/family-law/finding-hidden-assets-the-changing-field-of-divorce-finance "Finding hidden assets: the changing field of divorce finance")