Described by La Repubblica as “one of the most famous divorce firms in the world”, Vardags is a leading family and divorce law firm serving high net worth (HNW) and ultra‑high net worth (UHNW) individuals with an Italian nexus. This includes Italian individuals and families living in England and Wales, as well as British individuals based in Italy, or international families with financial, business or personal connections between Italy and England & Wales.
With offices in both Milan and Florence, we advise clients on navigating the complexities of jurisdiction, strategy and outcome in cross‑border divorce, financial and children cases. Our dedicated Italian team is led by our Founder and President, Ayesha Vardag, who has been hailed by La Repubblica as “la super avvocata matrimonialista” (“the best matrimonial lawyer”). Accompanying Ayesha is the Vardags Italy team, including a multi-lingual client relations team and a group of exceptional lawyers with decades of combined experience in family and divorce law, renowned for acting for high‑profile clients and operating at the very top of their field.
The Italian judicial system is very different from that of England & Wales. For those able to choose where proceedings are issued, one jurisdiction may be significantly more advantageous than the other depending on factors such as financial strength, asset location and the nature of the dispute. Jurisdictional choice is therefore often decisive.
Whether English jurisdiction is available is complex and depends on factors including habitual residence, domicile and nationality. It is common for Italian nationals living in England, or those married to British citizens, to be able to access the English courts even without having lived in England previously.
Descritto dal quotidiano La Repubblica come uno degli studi di divorzio più famosi al mondo”, Vardags e’ uno studio legale di famiglia e divorzio leader che serve individui ad alto patrimonio netto (HNW) e patrimonio netto ultra-alto (UHNW) con un nesso italiano. Ciò include individui e famiglie italiane che vivono in Inghilterra e Galles, nonché’ individui britannici con sede in Italia o famiglie internazionali con connessioni finanziarie, commerciali o personali tra Italia e Inghilterra e Galles.
Con uffici sia a Milano che a Firenze, assistiamo i nostri clienti nell’affrontare le complessità relative alla giurisdizione, alla strategia e all’esito delle cause transnazionali di divorzio, questioni finanziari e diritto dei minori. La nostra squadra
italiana dedicata e’ guidato dalla nostra fondatrice e presidente, Ayesha Vardag, che è stata acclamata da La Repubblica come “la super avvocata matrimonialista”. Ad affiancare Ayesha c’è la squadra Vardags Italia, che comprende una squadra multilingue di relazioni con i clienti e un gruppo di avvocati eccezionali con decenni di esperienza combinata in diritto di famiglia e divorzio, rinomati per agire per clienti di alto profilo e operare al top del loro campo.
Il sistema giudiziario italiano è molto diverso da quello dell’Inghilterra e del Galles. Per coloro che hanno la possibilità di scegliere il foro in cui avviare il procedimento, una giurisdizione può risultare notevolmente più vantaggiosa rispetto ad un’altra a seconda di fattori quali la solidarietà finanziaria, l’ubicazione dei beni e la natura della controversia. La scelta della giurisdizione è quindi spesso determinate.
Se la giurisdizione disponibile è complessa e dipende da fattori tra cui la residenza abituale, il domicilio e la nazionalità. È comune per i cittadini italiani che vivono in Inghilterra, o quelli sposati con cittadini britannici, poter accedere ai tribunali inglesi anche senza aver vissuto in Inghilterra in precedenza.
Vardags is one of the world’s leading divorce law firms, specialising in HNW and UHNW complex international divorce cases. We have advised international families with Italian connections from the firm’s inception. A core focus of our practice is navigating jurisdiction, whether in relation to divorce proceedings, financial remedies or children disputes. We regularly run cases through the English courts involving international elements, including:
Competing or parallel proceedings between Italy and England & Wales
Complex international asset tracing and valuations
Offshore and onshore trusts, corporate structures and family businesses
International enforcement against overseas assets
For the financially weaker party, our in‑house financial forensics team has unparalleled expertise in uncovering and enforcing against complex international structures. For the financially stronger party, the team has extensive experience securing favourable valuations and defending assets from attack.
Vardags has a longstanding Italian connection. Our Founder and President, Ayesha Vardag, resides in Florence, is a fluent Italian speaker, and maintains strong personal and professional ties throughout Italy. In early 2026, we expanded our European presence by opening both our Milan and Florence offices, strengthening our ability to serve Italian and Anglo‑Italian clients.
Where Italian legal advice is required, we work closely with Vardags Italy, enabling a seamless cross‑border service. Meetings can be arranged remotely or in person, in London, Milan or Florence, ensuring clients receive coordinated advice across jurisdictions. Our lawyers and multi‑lingual client relations team can manage enquiries and ongoing matters in Italian, English and other European languages, providing reassurance and clarity at every stage.
To learn more about the differences between divorcing in Italy compared to England and Wales, read our guide here.
Vardags frequently feature in the Italian press. Ayesha Vardag, along with our Milan and Florence offices, have been noted by The Telegraph, City AM, La Repubblica, Corriere della Sera and Il Sore 24 Ore:
- La Repubblica | Lui, lei, il divorzio e 77 milioni di sterline: a Londra una sentenza che fa storia - la Repubblica ("Him, her and a £77m divorce: a historic ruling in London")
- La Repubblica | Divorzio all’inglese (“English Divorce”)
- La Repubblica | Ayesha Vardag, la diva del divorzio (“Ayesha Vardag, the Diva of Divorce”)
- La Repubblica | Accordo prematrimoniale: cos’è e a cosa serve (“Prenuptial agreement: what it is and what it is for”)
- La Repubblica | L’amore al tempo della pandemia provoca un boom di divorzi a Londra (“Pandemic causes a divorce boom in London”)
- Il Sole 24 Ore | Violenza sulle done, cosa possiamo imparare dalla Gran Bretagna (“Violence against women, what we can learn from Britain”)
- Corriere della Sera | Divorzio negato (“Divorce denied”)
- La Notizia | Divorziare "all’Italiana" a Londra ("Divorce ’Italian Style’ in London")
Vardags è uno dei principali studi legali di divorzio al mondo, specializzato in casi di divorzio internazionali complessi HNW e UHNW. Abbiamo fornito consulenza a famiglie internazionali con legami italiani fin dall’inizio dell’azienda. Uno dei punti cardine della nostra attività è la gestione delle questioni giurisdizionali, sia in materia di procedimenti di divorzio, sia in relazione a misure di risarcimento economico o controversie relative ai figli. Trattiamo regolarmente dinanzi ai tribunali inglesi casi che presentano elementi internazionali tra cui:
Per la parte finanziariamente più debole, il nostro gruppo interno di esperti forensi finanziari vanta una competenza senza pari nell’individuare e far valere i propri diritti nei confronti di complesse strutture internazionali. Per la parte finanziariamente più forte, il team ha una vasta esperienza dell’ottenere valutazioni favorevoli e nel difendere i beni da eventuali attacchi.
Vardags vanta un legame di lunga data con l’Italia. La nostra fondatrice e presidente, Ayesha Vardag, risiede a Firenze, parla fluentemente italiano e mantiene forti legami personali e professionali in tutta Italia. All’inizio del 2026 abbiamo ampliato la nostra presenza in Europa aprendo uffici sia a Milano che a Firenze, rafforzando la nostra capacità di servire clienti italiani e anglo-italiani.
La nostra offerta in Italia è ulteriormente rafforzata da Partner Maria Fiorito, che possiede la doppia abilitazione come avvocato in Italia e solicitor in Inghilterra e Galles, e che ha lavorato per due dei principali studi legali di Milano specializzati in diritto di famiglia prima di entrare a far parte di Vardags.
Laddove è richiesta una consulenza in Italia, collaboriamo strettamente con Vardags Italia, garantendo un servizio transfrontaliero. Senza soluzione di continuità. Gli incontri possono essere organizzati a distanza o di persona, a Londra, Milano o Firenze, assicurando ai clienti una consulenza coordinata tra le diverse giurisdizioni. I nostri avvocati e il nostro team multilingue dedicato alle relazioni con i clienti sono in grado di gestire richieste e pratiche in corso in italiano, inglese e altre lingue europee, garantendo sicurezza e chiarezza in ogni fase.
Per saperne di più sulle differenze tra il divorzio in Italia e quello in Inghilterra e Galles, leggi la nostra guida qui.
Vardags compare spesso sulla stampa italiana. Ayesha Vardag insieme ai nostri uffici di Milano e Firenze, è sempre citata da The Telegraph, City AM, La Repubblica, Corriere della Sera e il Sole 24 Ore:
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 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
Yes. Vardags helps you find the best lawyer for divorce in international cases.
Yes. Vardags solicitors are familiar with managing cases involving overseas properties and international business interests. We know how to navigate international requirements and cross-border living arrangements.
In many countries, a couple can divorce with little or no financial support being given to the poorer party. Sometimes, you might not even know about the divorce until it has already been finalised. That does not prevent you from seeking the support of the English courts. Under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act, the English court can make a financial award for where there was “no, or no adequate” provision in overseas proceedings.
If your ex opposes your plan to move abroad with your children, there are numerous strategies that can be deployed to overcome their opposition.
While the court will be unable to stop you from relocating, it’s primary concern will be whether it is in your children’s best interests to do so, and whether there is an appropriate strategy in place for the children to maintain regular contact with the other parent.
There is no international harmonisation of law, policy and practice. Some countries will not provide fertility treatment or surrogacy to same-sex couples and single women. Some countries do not allow fertility treatment with donor eggs or sperm. Furthermore, law and policy on surrogacy differs widely, with some jurisdictions prohibiting it whilst others enable it on a commercial or altruistic basis.
A child adopted from a country that is signatory to the Hague Convention 1993 through what is known as a ‘Convention Adoption’ will automatically acquire British nationality. However, a child adopted via adoption that is classed as ‘overseas’ will not. In the latter scenario, you will need to have a clear immigration plan in place. Conversely, a foreign child adopted in the UK through the domestic adoption process will acquire British nationality as part of that process.
If you are currently making child support payments, this obligation will continue even after your ex moves abroad with your children. Child support will continue to be enforceable in the courts of England and Wales and in over 100 countries with reciprocal arrangements.
Surrogacy is a legal but restricted practice in the UK. Surrogacy contracts are not legally enforceable in the UK and arrangements are based on trust and goodwill. Some foreign countries ban surrogacy and others permit it on a commercial basis with legally enforceable surrogacy contracts. The legal issues and process differ depending upon whether you enter into an altruistic UK surrogacy or a commercial surrogacy overseas.
We can discuss options with you and provide sensitive, experienced and bespoke legal advice and assistance on family building law advice for those considering or embarking upon a surrogacy arrangement with assisted conception in the UK or abroad. We can also advise on how to navigate a safe path home after the bird of a surrogate child overseas, how to apply for a parental order for a surrogacy born child, and what to do in the absence of a parental order.
You will talk through your circumstances with a Vardags solicitor. Then, we will offer an initial view of the options available for you and how best we think you should proceed.