Civil Partnership Dissolution
Solicitors for ending a civil partnership
It’s vital that couples considering ending a civil partnership have the help of experienced legal professionals. We understand the clear distinctions of these legal agreements and how they can affect a relationship. We aim to take the stress out of the legal side of the breakup.
We offer thorough, knowledgeable and sympathetic legal advice and can help you and your partner bring your relationship to a legal end.
Who is eligible to dissolve a civil partnership?
You can end or dissolve your civil partnership if you’ve been in the partnership for over a year and you can confirm that the partnership has irretrievably broken down. You will have to apply to a court to end it, which you can either do online or by post and this can be done as a joint application with your partner or on your own.
If you do not want to end the civil partnership completely you can get a legal separation which can be applied for during the first year of your civil partnership.
How much does it cost to get a civil partnership dissolution?
There is a court fee of £612 to pay. In some cases you may be able to get help with the cost depending on your circumstances.
If you’re making a joint application with your partner then you would both need to qualify for help with fees – otherwise one of you will need to pay the full fee.
There might be other costs to consider such as solicitors’ fees if you decide to instruct a law firm.
What legal rights do civil partners have?
Civil partners have the same legal rights as married couples in terms of property and assets, and inheritance tax. Civil partners can also apply for parental responsibility of their partner’s children.
How do I work out child arrangements when dissolving a civil partnership?
Those in a civil partnership are allowed to adopt and civil partners can also take on parental responsibilities as a step-parent under the Children Act 1989.
An application for the dissolution of a civil partnership does not include child arrangements, so if you and your partner cannot agree on childcare arrangements then you will need to apply for a Child Arrangements Order so the Court can decide who they will live with and spend time with that will be in their best interests.
Find out more about this on our Children and relationship breakdown page – the process is usually the same as if you you were married then divorced.
How long does it take to get a civil partnership dissolution?
It usually takes at least six months to dissolve an uncontested civil partnership, but it can take longer if your partner contests ending the relationship.
In some cases it is recommended to get a Financial Settlement Order approved before ending the civil partnership. These orders help to protect your finances by ensuring that your former partner can’t make a claim for a share of your assets in the future.
Why use Rothera Bray for civil partnership dissolution?
While civil partnerships differ to marriages, many of the same issues should be taken into account when they begin or come to an end. Our family lawyers can help you tackle the issues that can arise from a civil partnership dissolution:
- Financial issues
- Splitting property
- Pension issues
- Issues relating to children
Advice about civil partnerships

“The end of a relationship is always difficult – but we’ll ensure that the legal side of things are handled smoothly”
David Berridge
Partner
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Posted 2 July 2026
We just wanted to say a big thank you now the court cases and paperwork are completed. As always you made our journey through the 3rd court hearing very reassuring and supportive...Thank you so much for working so hard for us.
David G
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Posted 29 June 2026
Having had to unfortunately move from a previous solicitor due to their frankly awful service I was recommended Emily Sherwood at Rothera Bray. I can honestly say she was incredible. She helped me re-group, ground myself and get back on track in an incredibly difficult situation and the end result was vastly different from the path it was heading. I would highly recommend Emily, and Rothera Bray. Hopefully I won't need to use the services of a solicitor again but if I do I would not hesitate to reach back out to them. Thank you again Emily for your sound advice, counsel and support.
SH
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Posted 20 June 2026
Emily Sherwood was outstanding again, she is professional, supportive, kind, empathetic and efficient. I don’t know how I would have got through all of it without her. She truly is the best and I’m so lucky to have had her as my solicitor. Thank you Rothera bray for providing such a wonderful solicitor from your company.
Gemma P
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Posted 8 June 2026
I recently spoke with David from Rothera Bray, found him and the whole team to be very helpful and professional. Dealing with a solicitor is not something most people have to do on a day to day basis and the team made it as easy and smooth as possible. Highly recommended.
John Elliott
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Posted 4 June 2026
I’d like to say a massive thank you for all of Emily Sherwood and the teams help at Rothera Bay. Response to enquiries has been timely and everything discussed was dealt with empathy and professionalism. I was guided through the process and fees were discussed transparently, I’m very grateful for all the help received so far.
Rebecca
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Posted 22 May 2026
I used Rebecca's services via Rothera Bray Solicitors to deal with the financial side to a divorce. I had an initial face to face appointment to talk through everything with Rebecca and this made me feel at ease and felt that Rebecca was the right person to help me. Rebecca has kept me highly informed at all stages throughout and has also given lots of great advice and has helped me a lot with getting things sorted. I am really happy with the service that I received and Rebecca was so friendly, kind, understanding and very helpful. I would 100% recommend to anyone who is requiring the help during a divorce.
Leila
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Posted 22 May 2026
Rothera Bray have been excellent in helping me resolve a difficult and expensive divorce, I found them extremely efficient - communication was excellent at all points and generally they were there when I needed them, they all took a personal interest in my case and we arrived at a reasonable resolution thanks to their efforts Specially thanks to Rebecca Emeleus and Rebecca Hudson for their great work, Highly recommended in what are always going to be difficult situation! They are people that you can rely on - which is very important in divorce actions particularly.
Stuart Randall
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Posted 21 May 2026
Sophie is kind and understanding. She explained everything and I felt I was in very capable hands. I would highly recommend Sophie.
Philippa Stephenson
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Posted 14 May 2026
Sophie helped me through the whole experience of getting my case through to fruition with a court order result.
Lesley
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Posted 28 April 2026
I cannot recommend Rothera Bray highly enough, and in particular Emily, who is truly outstanding. Emily took on my case again and from the very beginning she showed that she is unlike other solicitors. She took the time to genuinely listen to me, understand my situation, and focus on what was right for both myself and my children. That immediately set her apart. Where other solicitors had previously pushed their own views, suggesting I accept an undertaking or advising against pursuing a non-molestation order and a section 91(14) order, Emily approached things completely differently. She looked at the full picture, put the needs of the family first, and had the confidence and knowledge to push for what was truly necessary. The outcome has made a significant difference to our lives, and I genuinely believe it would not have been achieved without her. Emily is not only highly knowledgeable and professional, but also incredibly understanding. She puts her clients first, not what is easiest or quickest to achieve, and that level of care and commitment is rare. If you are looking for a solicitor who will truly listen, stand by you, and fight for the right outcome, I would recommend Emily and the team at Rothera Bray without hesitation.
Nathan
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Posted 21 April 2026
Excellent Support and Guidance Through a Difficult Divorce. I recently went through a divorce and required legal support during what was a difficult time. After initially speaking with Jack English at Rothera Bray, I felt confident in instructing him to advise and represent me. Throughout the process, he was consistently accessible, kept me well informed of progress, and communicated clearly at every stage. He struck the right balance between being understanding of the situation while remaining focused and determined to achieve the best possible outcome. I’m very grateful for his support and would not hesitate to recommend his services.
Divorce Client
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Posted 24 March 2026
I used the services of Emma Adcock and her team at Rothera Bray Solicitors and they were great - very pleasant, efficient and delivered to time and agreed cost. I would have no doubt in recommending them to others.
Jo

Ann-Marie Bowman
Partner, Chairwoman & Head of Care
Ann-Marie Bowman is Partner and Chairwoman of East Midlands-based law firm Rothera Bray Solicitors. Working from our Nottingham and Derby offices, Ann-Marie remains highly committed to her fee-earning work in Family law, dealing with all aspects of children law.

David Berridge
Partner
David has over 30 years’ experience practicing Family Law. He is one of the most experienced family solicitors in Leicestershire and deals with a wide variety of matters.

Rebecca Emeleus
Partner & Head of Family
Rebecca is a Partner and Head of the family law team and is based at our Kayes walk, Nottingham office.

Sarah Gill
Partner
Sarah is an experienced matrimonial and family law solicitor, dealing with children matters including child care, financial issues following separation of married couples and divorce. She undertakes court work in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire & Warwickshire. She is based at our Market Harborough office.

Joanne Millward
Partner
Joanne Millward has over 30 years’ experience dealing in all areas of Family Law in our Nottingham Lace Market, Derby, Beeston and Mapperley offices.

Julie McCrery
Managing Associate
Julie McCrery is a Managing Associate in Rothera Bray’s Family Law team and is based at our Derby office but also covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas.

Emma Adcock
Senior Associate Solicitor
Emma Adcock is a Solicitor with over 20 years’ experience across a wide range of family law matters arising from relationship breakdown. Working from our West Bridgford office in Nottingham, she has significant experience in divorce and the accompanying financial settlements.

Charley Kelly
Senior Associate Solicitor
Charley is an experienced Senior Associate Solicitor who specialises in all areas of Family law. She acts for clients on a wide range of family issues including divorce, financial remedy and children matters. She is based at our Leicester office.

Emily Sherwood
Associate Solicitor
Emily Sherwood is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Lace Market Nottingham and Derby offices.

Sophie Spreckley
Associate Solicitor
Sophie Spreckley is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law team and is based at our Derby office but also covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas.

Jack English
Solicitor
Jack English is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law team and is based at our Beeston office but also covers Nottingham and the surrounding areas.

Rebecca Hudson
Solicitor
Rebecca is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family Law department and specialises in divorce and matrimonial work. She is based at our Lace Market office.

Gabriella Kent
Solicitor
Gabriella Kent is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Family and Child Care department and is based at our Nottingham Lace Market office.

Christopher Monro
Senior Solicitor
Chris is an experienced solicitor dealing with most areas of Family and Matrimonial Law and is based at our Market Harborough office.

Ewan Paton
Solicitor
Ewan is a Solicitor in the Family Law department and is based at our West Bridgford office.

Cindy Dodd
Managing Paralegal
Cindy Dodd is a Managing Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Divorce and Family Law team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.

Lorraine Lloyd
Senior Paralegal
Lorraine is a Senior Paralegal in the Divorce and Family Law department based at our Leicester and Market Harborough offices.

Gita Patel
Senior Legal Secretary
Gita Patel is a Senior Legal Secretary in the Family Law department at Rothera Bray and is based at our Leicester office.

Tracey Cosgrove
Legal Secretary
Tracey is a legal secretary in the Family department based at our Leicester office.

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