Smith Hamilton was founded in 2014 as a boutique firm focused on corporate and commercial law, with expertise in fund management and advising senior executives, shareholders and entrepreneurs.
In 2023, the firm became part of MEUM Group, a multidisciplinary platform supporting ultra-high-net-worth individuals, their families and their businesses. During this period, our practice broadened significantly to include family, private client, education, charities and regulatory work, employment, and dispute resolution.
The law firm is now building on that growth to operate independently once again under the Smith Hamilton name. This transition reflects a natural progression in our growth and allows us to focus fully on delivering an integrated legal service under a single specialist brand, while retaining the expanded expertise developed over recent years.
For our clients, it remains very much business as usual – the same team, the same relationships, and an even broader depth of capability.
Family Law
We provide strategic family law advice where substantial wealth, business interests, children and reputation are involved.
We provide strategic family law advice where substantial wealth, business interests, children and reputation are involved. We recognise the personal impact these matters carry and work closely with clients to guide them through every stage with clarity, discretion and steady support. Our approach combines technical excellence with genuine understanding, helping clients make confident decisions at some of the most sensitive moments in their lives.
Key Figure
Julie Taylor
Partner
Our Family Law Services
UHNW Divorce
Complex Financial Proceedings
Children Arrangements and Disputes
International Relocation and Jurisdictional Issues
Business Ownership in Divorce
Reputation-Sensitive Proceedings
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreement
We advise high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals on divorce matters involving substantial assets, international elements and reputational considerations. Our work is discreet, strategic and focused on securing long-term stability.
- Divorce involving complex wealth structures
- Protecting inherited, pre-marital or business assets
- Coordinating international legal, financial and tax advice
- Negotiating high-value financial settlements
- Managing privacy and reputation throughout proceedings
We act in financial cases involving sophisticated asset portfolios, cross-border holdings and intricate income structures, ensuring outcomes reflect both short- and long-term financial security.
- Valuation and division of substantial asset pools
- Assessing offshore, trust and corporate interests
- Income and liquidity analysis for support arrangements
- Negotiating or litigating high-value settlements
- Working with financial, tax and valuation specialists
We support parents in resolving sensitive issues relating to children’s living arrangements, welfare and long-term plans, with a focus on stability, clarity and child-centred outcomes.
- Negotiating residence and contact arrangements
- Advising on schooling, healthcare and welfare decisions
- Representing clients in court applications and hearings
- Addressing allegations or safeguarding concerns
- Developing parenting plans that minimise conflict
We advise on cross-border family matters, including relocation, jurisdiction and international disputes, ensuring clients navigate global legal frameworks with confidence.
- Applications to relocate internationally with children
- Preventing unlawful removal or securing returns
- Jurisdiction challenges in divorce and financial matters
- Coordinating with foreign lawyers and advisors
- Managing international enforcement issues
We work with entrepreneurs, founders and business-owning families to protect commercial interests during divorce, ensuring fair outcomes that preserve operational continuity.
- Valuation of private companies and partnerships
- Assessing liquidity, cashflow and shareholder rights
- Structuring settlements to protect ongoing business activity
- Advising on pre- and post-divorce restructuring
- Managing disputes involving family-owned enterprises
We act discreetly in matters where public profile, confidentiality or brand protection is critical, ensuring sensitive issues are managed with care.
- Controlling information flow and minimising publicity
- Managing high-stakes allegations or contentious matters
- Working with PR and reputation advisers
- Ensuring confidentiality in financial and children’s matters
- Strategic dispute resolution to avoid unnecessary litigation
We prepare tailored nuptial agreements that protect wealth, clarify expectations and reduce future risk, particularly in relationships involving significant or inherited assets.
- Drafting bespoke pre- and post-nuptial agreements
- Protecting business, trust and family wealth
- Coordinating cross-border legal advice
- Ensuring enforceability and procedural fairness
- Reviewing and updating existing agreements
Our Team
Who We Act For
Our clients value clear advice, commercial judgement and a calm, steady hand during complex transactions.