Top divorce lawyers serving Essex ================================= Vardags is a top divorce and family law firm working exclusively on high value cases. Our President Ayesha Vardag has been widely described as "[Britain's Top Divorce Lawyer"](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/ayesha-vardag) and the "Diva of Divorce". We specialise in large and complex divorce cases. These often feature private companies, property empires, trusts, and international/hidden assets. ![Ayesha Vardag](https://vardags.com/images/staff/ayesha-vardag.jpg)Ayesha Vardag Founder & President "Britain's Top Divorce Lawyer" "Diva of Divorce For The Super Rich" "Rolls Royce service from start to finish" [BOOK MY FREE CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/contact/consultation) 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. Our experienced family lawyers will take the time to understand the details of your unique situation and talk you through the next stages of the legal process. We will then be able to give you a sense of the possible outcomes of your case and even the likely cost. Request discreet follow-up We aim to get back to you within 10 minutes. Please tick this box if you are also happy to be contacted by **WhatsApp** What our top divorce lawyers and family law solicitors serving Essex can offer you ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vardags' team of top divorce lawyers offer unparalleled legal support to our clients in Essex. We understand that navigating a divorce can be a challenging and emotionally charged period for you and your family. Our goal is to guide you through this process with compassion and expertise, securing the most favourable outcome for you. Our award-winning family lawyers for Essex specialise in: - Handling complex [high-net-worth and ultra-high-new-worth divorces](https://vardags.com/law-guide/the-ultimate-guide-to-high-net-worth-and-ultra-high-net-worth-divorces) that involve substantial financial settlements. - Managing sensitive divorce cases, including those involving [celebrities](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/celebrities-divorce), [sportspeople](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/divorce-lawyers-footballers-sportspeople), [royalty](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/divorce-lawyers-royalty-aristocracy), [entrepreneurs](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/entrepreneurs-divorce), and [business executives](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/entrepreneurs-divorce). - Resolving disputes over the custody and residence of [children](https://vardags.com/guide/children). - [Pre-nuptial agreements](https://vardags.com/law-guide/basic-principles/prenuptial-agreements) to safeguard your financial future and protecting your assets during a divorce. - Conducting [forensic financial investigations](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/katharine-danby), tracing hidden assets and providing accurate spousal valuations. - Dissolving [civil partnerships](https://vardags.com/law-guide/basic-principles/guide-to-civil-partnerships). - Preserving the [reputation and privacy](https://vardags.com/guide/reputation-and-privacy) of our clients throughout the divorce process and beyond. - Advising on [property law](https://vardags.com/services/property), assisting our clients with the purchase, sale, and mortgaging of luxury homes in Essex. The importance of acting first ------------------------------ Filing a divorce petition first can give you the legal edge over your spouse, ensuring that our top divorce lawyers deliver the greatest outcome for you and your family. If you think you may need our help, don't delay. [Contact Vardags](https://vardags.com/contact) before your spouse does. VARDAGS Essex ------------- Tel: [020 7404 9390](https://vardags.com/tel:020%207404%209390) WhatsApp: 07385025158 YOUR NEAREST FAMILY COURT: Basildon Magistrates' Court and Family Court The Court House Great Oaks Basildon SS14 1EH 01245 313300 [Open in maps ](https://goo.gl/maps/4D4gLyc1oKDLjWdc6) ### DIRECTIONS Basildon Magistrates' Court and Family Court is located beside the A1321. If you are arriving by car along this road, turn onto Little Oaks and you will find Great Oaks car park which is 0.1 miles from the court. Basildon train station is 0.4 miles from the court so is easily accessible by foot, busses or taxis. ### MEET OUR Essex TEAM ### [Ayesha Vardag](https://vardags.com/solicitors/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag") Founder & President Serves clients in Essex and the surrounding areas "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/ayesha-vardag) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/ayesha-vardag "SELECT") ### [Simon McKirgan](https://vardags.com/solicitors/simon-mckirgan "Simon McKirgan") Senior Partner - Divorce & Family Serves clients in Essex and the surrounding areas "[SIMON MCKIRGAN IS] IMMENSELY SKILLED AND WORKS FORMIDABLY HARD." Legal 500 Simon McKirgan is Senior Partner at Vardags and a top international divorce lawyer, with experience in representing individuals or their spouses/partners from... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/simon-mckirgan) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/simon-mckirgan "SELECT") ### [David Lister](https://vardags.com/solicitors/david-lister "David Lister") Senior Partner and Head of London Family - Divorce & Family Serves clients in Essex and the surrounding areas "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/david-lister) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/david-lister "SELECT") ### [Robert Hines](https://vardags.com/solicitors/robert-hines "Robert Hines") Partner - Divorce & Family Serves clients in Essex and the surrounding areas "ROB IS AN EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD LAWYER. HE HAS A HUGE BRAIN AND THUS WITH A MORE TECHNICAL CASE HE IS..." Legal 500 Robert Hines is a Partner at Vardags, advising on all aspects of family law particularly cases involving contentious or strategic planning elements. Robert has... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/robert-hines) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/robert-hines "SELECT") ### [Hannah Best](https://vardags.com/solicitors/hannah-best "Hannah Best") Associate Serves clients in Essex and the surrounding areas "HANNAH IS A WONDERFUL RISING JUNIOR STAR WHO IS INCREDIBLY WELL-LIKED AND BOUND TO GO FAR." Legal 500 Hannah is an Associate at Vardags. Although Hannah works on all aspects of family law, she has a particular interest in complex financial disputes, trusts,... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/hannah-best) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/hannah-best "SELECT") ### [Lucy Bolton](https://vardags.com/solicitors/lucy-bolton "Lucy Bolton") Partner and Co-Head of Manchester and Regional Offices - Divorce & Family Serves clients in Essex and the surrounding areas "LUCY WILLIAMS IS LOVED BY CLIENTS AND COUNSEL" Legal 500 Lucy is experienced in advising on all matters arising out of divorce and separation, and is experienced in the complex issues that arise with high net worth clients, with... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/lucy-bolton) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/lucy-bolton "SELECT") Other members of our team that may be involved in your case ----------------------------------------------------------- ### [Katharine Danby](https://vardags.com/solicitors/katharine-danby "Katharine Danby") Partner — Head of Financial Forensics Serves clients in Essex and the surrounding areas "KATHARINE ACTED AS AN INVALUABLE BROKER BETWEEN ME AND MY LAWYER, HELPING TO CUT THROUGH ANY JARGON..." Client In cases involving complicated financial structures and arrangements, our Head of Financial Forensics, Katharine Anderson, can offer support to the family law team on your... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/katharine-danby) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/katharine-danby "SELECT") ### [Caroline Graham](https://vardags.com/solicitors/caroline-graham "Caroline Graham") Corporate Consultant Serves clients in Essex and the surrounding areas "SIMPLY THE BEST" Legal 500 If there is a business that is part of the marital assets under consideration, our Corporate Consultant, Caroline Graham, can provide assistance in relation to technical... [READ MORE](https://vardags.com/solicitors/caroline-graham) [BOOK CONSULTATION](https://vardags.com/lawyers/caroline-graham "SELECT") Media Highlights ---------------- [Time Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine](http://time.com/5037316/britain-divorce-london-capital-ayesha-vardag/ "Ayesha Vardag features in Time Magazine") [BBC News David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7279887504982302720 "David Lister discusses 'Brangelina' divorce on BBC News") [The Telegraph 'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/06/homemaker-ex-wife-laura-ashley-boss-wins-third-200m-income-payout/ "'Homemaker' ex-wife of Laura Ashley boss earns mammoth divorce payout") [The Telegraph Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/brexit-stopped-us-getting-our-abducted-children-back/ "Caroline Korah discusses parental child abduction with The Telegraph") [The Times Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce](https://www.thetimes.com/article/12c7dc62-6d9f-4c75-9314-b17a9d4fc98f?shareToken=3393e3e3e8101b72a28c6d95a1c641fe "Hidden assets and fluctuating fortunes - how crypto clouds divorce") What our clients say -------------------- The Vardags Teams are incredible! Mariette Terrisse Hilborne What should have been the worst year of my life was resurrected by this firm. The Manchester based team of Anne-Marie Bradley and Kate Taylor were exceptional. They treat you as a human being rather than a client. I can't thank... them enough for all their expertise, choice of barrister and expert witness. If I am ever unlucky enough to repeat this horrible episode, they will be my first port of call. Can't recommend these two enough. Mark Gallagher Nicola and the team are the best support you could ask for at the most difficult of times. As well as being knowledgeable, forward thinking, organised and hard-working, she has empathy and goes above and beyond for her clients. C I would, without hesitation, recommend Vardags if you want a highly professional and compassionate legal team to get you to the outcome you desire. J Rourke Being supportive, reassuring, & attentive throughout the process, I definitively felt that everyone in the Team was investing in my affairs throughout. Martin Waters Do not think twice about engaging this firm, they have been nothing short of brilliant, and in my opinion you will not find better. Nicole Barnes 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, Family Law Fact: SS v NS ------------------------ The case of SS v NS is a recent judgment from Mr Justice Mostyn which shows the changing approach of the courts to spousal maintenance. The husband and wife were 40 and 39 respectively, and had been together for 11 years. The husband worked in [banking](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/divorce-lawyers-for-bankers). Though he was very successful, he was reducing his work load due to ongoing health concerns. The wife had not worked since the birth of the first child, but had taken on part-time work during the course of proceedings. The judge considered the legal and ethical basis for spousal maintenance, and summarized the case law to-date. He found that an order for maintenance could only be made where there were income needs to be met and should be focused on facilitating the transition to independent living. The judge put forward 11 principles which decisions relating to the provision of maintenance should address, including when it would be appropriate for there to be a clean break (*i.e.* a maintenance order coming to an end). These are: *i.e.* 1. An application is more likely to be successful where it can be evidenced that decisions and choices made during the marriage have led to future needs of the recipient, such as the length of the marriage and the existence of children. **If you're considering or going through a divorce, click below for a free initial consultation with one of our expert solicitors.** [Click here to read](https://vardags.com/law-guide/important-divorce-cases/ss-v-ns) more or [here for our complete list of Divorce FAQs](https://vardags.com/faq/divorce) [Book Your Free Consultation](https://vardags.com/contact "Book Your Free Consultation") [Vardags climbs ranks of UK's biggest firms in The Lawyer's UK 200](https://vardags.com/posts/vardags-london-climbs-ranks-of-uks-biggest-firms-in-the-lawyers-uk-200) OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES -------------------------- Vardags is one of the UK's leading divorce law firms. We specialise in complex, high net worth and international cases. The Legal 500 has said of Vardags: "The team is noted for its sheer intellect" [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/divorce "Divorce") Vardags is among the leading family law firms in the UK. Our solicitors specialise in complex cases for high net worth individuals, including international child relocation, child abduction, and prenuptial agreements. The Legal 500 has said that "clients feel in totally safe hands" with Vardags' Children & Family lawyers. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/children-and-family "Children & Family") Our reputation and privacy team, headed by top media lawyer Alex McCready, works in and out of the public eye on cases involving defamation, privacy and reputation management. We provide expert advice and representation across the full range of reputation and privacy related matters, including crisis management, emergency injunctions and actions against online and new media. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/reputation-privacy "Reputation & Privacy") Vardags is a leading UK law firm with expertise in complex disputes relating to a range of corporate law matters. Our team has a wealth of expertise to help clients with their legal needs. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/corporate "Corporate") Vardags is a successful and rapidly-growing law firm with an outstanding reputation for winning cases. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/criminal-defence "Criminal Defence") Vardags is a top law firm with a trailblazing fertility and surrogacy department. We have had success with some of the most groundbreaking cases of the last decade in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, with rulings that have changed the law. Vardags remains at the cutting edge of fertility law, pushing for further improvement of the outdated legislation in place in Britain. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/fertility-surrogacy "Fertility & Surrogacy") Vardags' civil litigation team is renowned for its nous and its consistent ability to deliver results. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/commercial-civil-litigation "Commercial & Civil Litigation") Vardags' wills and trusts team has the specific expertise to cater to the wills and trusts needs of high-net-worth and high-profile individuals. Richard Todd QC, Leading Counsel for Yasmin Prest said of Vardags: "a note to acknowledge your firm's pivotal role in achieving such an outstanding result in the recent Supreme Court case of Petrodel v Prest". [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/wills-trusts "Wills, Trusts and Probate") Vardags is a leading family law firm with specialist expertise in assisting clients who are experiencing domestic abuse. We appreciate that those in abusive relationships may face difficulties contacting us. We can provide additional discretion, such as arranging alternative meeting places and talking via our WhatsApp service. [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/domestic-abuse "Domestic Abuse Lawyers") [Find out more](https://vardags.com/services/sje-and-shadow-experts "Single Joint Experts & Shadow Experts")