Divorce Lawyers serving Waterloo ================================ Vardags is a top divorce and family law firm working exclusively on high value cases, serving clients in Waterloo and across [London](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/london). 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. We also serve the surrounding area, including [Covent Garden](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/covent-garden), [Westminster,](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/westminster) and [Lambeth](https://vardags.com/locations-we-serve/lambeth). 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** Our Divorce Services in Waterloo. --------------------------------- Vardags' team of top divorce lawyers provide our clients in Waterloo with the highest quality legal support. We can provide you with the best chance of achieving the most favourable outcome, whilst guiding you through what is likely a highly traumatic period for you and your family. Our team of top divorce solicitors and family lawyers are selected on the basis of tenacity and excellence, meaning you can rest assured that the very best are on your side. Our award-winning family lawyers for Waterloo specialise in: - Complex [HNW and UHNW divorce](https://vardags.com/law-guide/the-ultimate-guide-to-high-net-worth-and-ultra-high-net-worth-divorces) with substantial financial settlements. - Sensitive divorce cases including for [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/divorce-lawyers-company-executives). - 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 secure your financial future and asset protection during a divorce. - [Forensic financial investigations](https://vardags.com/solicitors/london/katharine-danby), tracing hidden assets and providing accurate spousal valuations. - [Civil partnership dissolutions](https://vardags.com/law-guide/basic-principles/guide-to-civil-partnerships). - Protecting the [reputation and privacy](https://vardags.com/guide/reputation-and-privacy) of our clients before, during, and after divorce proceedings. - [Property law](https://vardags.com/services/property), assisting clients to buy, sell, and mortgage luxury homes in Waterloo. 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 Waterloo ---------------- Tel: [020 7404 9390](https://vardags.com/tel:020%207404%209390) WhatsApp: 07385025158 ### MEET OUR Waterloo TEAM ### [Ayesha Vardag](https://vardags.com/solicitors/ayesha-vardag "Ayesha Vardag") Founder & President Serves clients in Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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 -------------------- I cannot thank Gareth, Kate, Claire and all the team at Vardags enough for their excellent expertise and professional approach to my divorce case. They have helped me reach a successful conclusion to a process to which I could... see no end. The last three years have been the most traumatic of my life. Their calm and thorough approach and attention to detail reassured me that I was in the best capable hands.They gave me realistic expectations but yet exceeded them. They have definitely lived up to their name of being a top divorce and family law firm. S. Gasparini Vardags takes care to match the client to the solicitor. Within 2 months, Vardags got me everything I needed. I would not have the future I now have in front of me if it wasn't for Vardags. N Beresford-Tomlin 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 I feel they got the best outcome possible for me whilst supporting me through a challenging & difficult time in my life. I have no hesitation in recommending them. Amanda Allen I always felt I was in the best hands, I highly recommend them! Alessandra Arrigoni I would highly recommend AnneMarie Bradley. I found myself in a very difficult position during my divorce. her understanding of the position and making me see this from a different point of view helped me defend my position.... along with a defence it placed me in a driving position and saved me a lot of money. The end result was justice and I will be forever grateful. Dale Heathcote 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: Divorce based on Five Years' Separation -------------------------------------------------------- *Please note that the following guide only applies to divorces started before 4pm on 5th April 2022. For divorces after this date, [no fault divorce](https://vardags.com/law-guide/basic-principles/no-fault-divorce) now applies.* *Please note that the following guide only applies to divorces started before 4pm on 5th April 2022. For divorces after this date, [no fault divorce](https://vardags.com/law-guide/basic-principles/no-fault-divorce) now applies.* A couple is allowed to divorce once they have been married for at least a year and it can be shown that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. There are five facts that can be used to evidence the breakdown of the marriage: - Adultery - Unreasonable behaviour - Desertion - Separation for two years with consent - Separation for five years without consent What are the requirements for five years separation? ---------------------------------------------------- The court has to be satisfied that the marriage has irretrievably broken down and that the parties have been separated for a continuous period amounting to at least five years. Where these requirements are met, the respondents consent is not required, although this does not mean that the petitioner can continue without the respondent being involved. The divorce process still needs to be followed as with every other ground. **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/basic-principles/divorce-based-on-five-years-separation) 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")