Family & Divorce

Thinking of Relocating

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Thinking of Relocating

Our Approach

We can help to remove some of the stress and uncertainty involved when moving from one country to another.

Across the firm we have highly experienced lawyers who can give you comprehensive advice about your relocation plans. We work with colleagues in our Immigration, Real Estate and Private Client (tax) teams to make sure your relocation to or within the UK, or overseas, is well planned and legally viable.

We understand how much is at stake when considering the relocation of your children. We can help to remove some of the stress and uncertainty involved when moving from one country to another.

Our team of family lawyers has a longstanding reputation in acting for or advising parents who are relocating. Our work is recognised by the leading legal directories.

A growing number of international entrepreneurs, investors, professionals and their families relocate to the UK or move from the UK overseas. Families and individuals come to us for joined up advice to prepare for:

Taking children abroad after separation or divorce (child relocation)
Moving children within the UK

Whether you are seeking advice for your whole family, or you are planning to move with your children at the end of a relationship, it is crucial to take legal advice as early as possible.

If you are faced with a dispute about children being taken abroad, our experienced family lawyers can explain the options available to you and can make an application to court if necessary. We work with foreign lawyers if needed, to ensure your interests are protected.

A strong team ethic shines through at Kingsley Napley and there is ready support from across the whole team, whose assistance is always quick, accurate and reassuring.

Chambers and Partners _ 2025

Our Expertise

Recent examples of work

Acting for a father, opposing the mother’s application to permanently remove the parties’ two children to Abu Dhabi to live with the mother’s new husband. The mother’s historic conduct raised significant concerns about the sustainability of his relationship with the girls if they were to go. The case required an understanding of the law in the UAE (where we have strong contacts) and the instruction of Islamic Law experts. The case involved important issues regarding leave to remove, Wardship, illegitimacy in the UAE and security when relocation children to non-Hague convention countries.
Acting for a mother seeking to relocate to Germany with her two teenage children. The case was finely balanced given the age of the children, but following the instruction of an independent social worker who supported the mother’s plans, her application was allowed.
Acting for a father opposing the mother’s application for permission to relocate the parties’ two year old son to Hong Kong (her home country where her family resided). Advising the father in relation to both the complex financial issues and the international relocation dispute, providing him with continuity of representation. The Judge refused the mother’s permission to relocate and ordered an increase in contact with our client, so that the father would effectively share the child’s care with the mother. This was a life-changing result for our client and his son.