Divorce & Family Law Solicitors in Oxford

Family law matters are among the most personal and emotionally challenging situations you can face. Whether you are going through a divorce, dealing with arrangements for your children, or navigating the legal consequences of a relationship breakdown, having the right solicitor alongside you makes a significant difference.

At Challenor Gardiner, our family law solicitors in Oxford take a caring, practical approach. We are members of Resolution, a national organisation of family law professionals committed to resolving disputes constructively and with as little conflict as possible. That means we will always look to find solutions through negotiation and agreement first — taking matters to court only when it is genuinely necessary.

We have been helping Oxford families through difficult times since 1851. We understand the pressures involved and we will be straightforward with you about your options, the likely outcomes and the costs at every stage.

Our family law services

Divorce and separation

Since the introduction of no-fault divorce in April 2022, the process of ending a marriage has changed significantly. Couples can now apply jointly or individually on the basis of irretrievable breakdown, without having to apportion blame or wait years to separate.

We can guide you through the full divorce process, from the initial application through to the conditional and final orders, and advise you on the financial aspects of separation including division of assets, property, savings and pensions.

Find out more about divorce and separation

Financial settlements

Reaching a fair financial settlement is often the most complex part of a separation. We will advise you on what a reasonable outcome looks like given your circumstances, help negotiate an agreement with the other party, and ensure any settlement is properly documented in a consent order approved by the court – making it legally binding.

Children and family arrangements

When children are involved, their welfare is always the priority. We can advise on and help you agree arrangements for where children will live, how much time they will spend with each parent, and how decisions about their upbringing will be made.

Where agreement cannot be reached through negotiation, we can help you explore mediation and other alternatives before considering court proceedings.

Find out more about family law and children

Cohabitation disputes

Couples who live together but are not married have fewer automatic legal protections than married couples. We can help cohabiting couples put a cohabitation agreement in place to protect both parties, and advise on separation agreements if the relationship breaks down.

Find out more about cohabitation disputes

Pre-nuptial agreements

A pre-nuptial agreement allows couples to set out how their assets would be divided if the marriage were to break down. While not automatically binding in England and Wales, they carry significant weight in court and can provide real clarity and protection for both parties.

Find out more about pre-nuptial agreements

Court representation

While we always aim to resolve matters without going to court, there are times when proceedings are necessary — for example, to protect against domestic abuse, secure occupation of the family home, or safeguard the financial interests of you or your children.

Where court representation is required, our family solicitors will support you through every step of the process.

Find out more about court representation

Why choose Challenor Gardiner for family law in Oxford?

Oxford families have trusted us with their most personal legal matters for generations. We are not a large national firm – you will deal directly with an experienced family solicitor who knows your case and is available to answer your questions.

Members of Resolution – committed to a non-confrontational approach
Experienced family law solicitors based in Oxford city centre
Transparent fees, including a fixed-price initial advice session (up to one hour for £150 + VAT)
Sensitive, confidential and supportive throughout
Established in Oxford since 1851

Get in touch

If you would like to talk to one of our family law solicitors in Oxford, call us on 01865 721451 or email info@challenor-gardiner.co.uk. All initial enquiries are without cost or obligation.

Marriage and family breakdowns can be traumatic for all those concerned. We will help you gain a clear understanding of all the procedures involved for you to decide on the best course of action and way forward.

You can be confident that Challenor Gardiner will help deal with every issue in a constructive and helpful way whilst offering you complete support during difficult times.

We can help you by setting up Co-habitation agreements before you commit yourself and Separation Agreements if it does not work out.

We will only advise taking proceedings when necessary, for example, to protect from domestic abuse, to secure occupation of the family home, protect the home and family finances until there is a settlement or court order and to protect the welfare of any children of the family.

We can advise you on pre-nuptial agreements that allow engaged couples to set out their financial plans if the marriage was to break down in the future and to protect the wealth they are bringing into the marriage.

We understand how the costs of dealing with a relationship or family issue can be stressful and therefore we will be open about costs at all times. We have fixed fees for undefended divorce, consent orders and hearings and can agree bespoke fees to suit your budget so you will…

A selection of our testimonials

Mr. Nick Bingham single-handedly restored my faith in the legal system and my respect for its practitioners.

Thank you very, very much for your help with my case. Thanks to you I can start to re-build my life. I’m so very grateful.

There are times in life when the backing of competent and efficient professionals will make an enormous difference. In my instance, a traumatic divorce and a move. The solicitors at Challenor Gardiner were there for me from the moment I went to see them. They…

If you’re looking for experienced family law solicitors in Oxford, Challenor Gardiner is here to help. Our expert team provides clear, compassionate advice on divorce, child arrangements, financial settlements, and more. We understand the complexities of family law and are committed to achieving the best outcome for you. Learn more about our services or contact us today to discuss how we can assist you.

All initial enquiries are without cost or obligation, so please call us now on 01865 721451 or, email info@challenor-gardiner.co.uk or complete our Free Online Enquiry contact form to discover your bespoke fixed price quotation