How do I achieve an amicable divorce?

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Widely praised as one of the greatest ever football managers, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has excelled as a master of tactical innovation in his professional life. So perhaps it should come as no surprise that the Catalan legend seems to be taking a pioneering and innovative approach to matters in his private life as well.

News outlets reported back in March that Guardiola and his partner of over 30 years, Cristina Serra, have chosen the “one couple, one lawyer” approach to acheiving an amicable divorce. This method was developed by Resolution, the UK’s family law body, as part of a general push to make divorces less contentious and to promote non-court resolution.

Changes in divorce law

The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 brought a raft of changes to divorce law in England and Wales, including the scrapping of fault-based divorces and the introduction of a 20-week “cooling off” period to allow time for reflection between the start of divorce proceedings and when a party can apply for a conditional order.

The “one couple, one lawyer” method offers separating couples the chance to work together towards an amicable divorce with a single solicitor to iron out any differences. This includes agreeing a split of the marital assets and child arrangements outside of court, making significant savings on legal fees and likely reducing the emotional toll of the process.

How 'one couple, one lawyer' promotes an amicable divorce

While the provisions in the SRA Code of Conduct for solicitors ordinarily prohibit a solicitor from acting on behalf of two parties where there is a potential conflict of interest, the assumption here is that both clients have a substantially common interest in terms of achieving a fair resolution.

Whether “one couple, one lawyer” will work for you will frankly depend on how well you can collaborate, as well as the complexity of your finances and the extent of your differences in terms of what you each believe a fair outcome looks like.

First, you would agree on instructing a lawyer who offers this service, and the lawyer would then meet with each party separately before confirming that the approach is the right one for you. Assuming that there are no concerns about domestic violence or coercion, for example, or your overall capacity to work together, your joint solicitor would then guide you through the process of working out your finances and any arrangements for your children. Where needed, this may involve other professionals in their network such as mediators and accountants, before drawing up an agreement that the court can approve.

Can everyone achieve an amicable divorce?

While this sounds perfectly sensible, the approach will not suit all divorcing couples. In an ideal world, all divorcing couples would be on great terms, with no grievances to bear or intractable issues between them, determined to proceed through their formal separation with mutual respect and in the best interests of any dependents.

In reality, marital breakdown can be incredibly stressful. Divorce often brings out the worst in two people who are deeply familiar with each other’s vulnerabilities and may feel that they want to score points rather than share the same lawyer. For personal or commercial reasons, one party may want to drag out the process and delay signing paperwork, or to rush things through without proper consideration of the legal entitlements of the other.

Every family lawyer worth their salt will seek to diffuse tensions and resolve matters out of court as quickly and efficiently as possible, yet every divorce is different. Some are straightforward and can be resolved with minimal conflict; others may start off on a relatively harmonious path before spiralling into acrimony. Events can take unexpected turns and parties can be wrongfooted by new revelations.

Is it possible to use one lawyer if we have complex financial circumstances?

It also remains to be seen whether “one couple, one lawyer” can be effective in cases where the financial affairs of the couple are highly complex and maybe even multi-jurisdictional. Or in cases involving children, where the needs or desires of those children may be unpredictable and may change over time.

Ultimately, while it may not work for everyone, innovation in the way that family law practitioners deliver our services is vital if we are to keep meeting the needs of every client, and this new approach designed to reduce both conflict and costs is to be warmly welcomed.

The family law community will be watching closely to find out how “one couple, one lawyer” works out in the case of Guardiola. As the manager knows only too well, whatever your tactical choices, it is not always possible to predict the nature of the opposition.

Moving forward

At Family Law in the City, we've supported hundreds of clients through separation, whether an amicable divorce or not. For a free, no-obligation initial chat about your situation, call us on 020 4579 5360 or complete our contact form.

Author bio

Melissa Gurumurthy is a family law solicitor at Family Law in the City. She qualified in 2024, having trained at Mishcon de Reya LLP, and brings a background in communications and public policy to her work with clients going through divorce, separation, financial proceedings, and children matters. For a confidential conversation, visit our contact page or call the office on  020 4579 5360.

Frequently asked questions

How does an amicable divorce work?

An amicable divorce is one where both parties work together to resolve the practical and financial aspects of their separation without resorting to court. This can be achieved in a number of ways, including solicitor-led negotiation, mediation, or the "one couple, one lawyer" approach described above. The goal in each case is to reach an agreed settlement on finances and, where relevant, arrangements for children, which can then be approved by the court. Instructing a solicitor does not mean matters need to escalate or become acrimonious - a good family lawyer will focus on helping you move forward, not prolonging conflict.

Do I need a solicitor for an amicable divorce?

You are not legally required to instruct a solicitor, but taking independent legal advice is strongly recommended even where a separation is straightforward. A solicitor can help you understand your legal entitlements, identify issues you may not have considered, and ensure that any agreement reached is properly documented. Where both parties are broadly in agreement, a solicitor's role may be relatively limited - but having one can make the difference between an agreement that holds and one that unravels further down the line.

How much does an amicable divorce cost in the UK?

The court fee for a divorce in England and Wales is currently £612 (correct as of May 2026), regardless of whether the process is contested or amicable. Legal fees will vary depending on the complexity of your finances and the level of advice you need. Where couples are broadly agreed and require only background support from a solicitor, fees can be relatively modest. The "one couple, one lawyer" model can reduce overall costs further, since both parties are working with a single professional rather than each funding separate legal teams. You can find more detail on our fees page.

How long does an amicable divorce take in the UK?

The divorce process itself takes a minimum of around seven months from the date proceedings are issued, largely due to the 20-week cooling-off period built into the no-fault divorce system and the subsequent waiting period before a final order can be applied for. Reaching a financial settlement can run in parallel with or after the divorce process, and how long that takes will depend on the complexity of the finances and how quickly both parties can reach an agreement. Where couples are cooperative and the finances are relatively straightforward, it is possible to resolve both within a similar timeframe.