Time to resolution
With us
4-6 months (but can be as fast as 6-8 weeks)
Two separate solicitors
Average 15.4 months
One couple. One lawyer.
Get divorced, fairly.
One lawyer works with you both together, avoiding the cost and conflict of separate lawyers, enabling you to reach a legally fair and amicable outcome, without going near a court.
Award-winning divorce lawyers
One Couple One Lawyer vs two separate divorce solicitors.
Divorce with one shared lawyer typically takes 4-6 months at a fixed average total cost of £13,500, compared with an average in England & Wales of 15.4 months and uncapped hourly billing for a traditional two-solicitor divorce.
Average total cost
With us
£13,500 (our fees are based on the complexity of your situation, not your net worth)
Two separate solicitors
Uncapped, hourly
Who hears the advice
With us
You both, together
Two separate solicitors
Each side, separately
What drives the cost
With us
Fixed fees, however long it takes
Two separate solicitors
Rises the longer it takes
| With us | Two separate solicitors | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to resolution | 4-6 months (as fast as 6-8 weeks) | Average 15.4 months |
| Average total cost | £13,500 (our fees reflect the complexity of your situation, not your net worth) | Uncapped, hourly |
| Who hears the advice | You both, together | Each side, separately |
| What drives the cost | Fixed fees, whatever the outcome | Rises the longer it takes |
The one couple one lawyer difference
Two lawyers argue. One team answers.
The traditional route means two solicitors, each paid by the hour, each representing only one of you. Hourly billing can reward a longer process; a fixed fee doesn't, so we're aligned to get you to an amicable resolution, faster. One fixed fee, one team, one answer for both of you.
“We were fed up with dealing with individual lawyers who seemed more intent on generating fees than helping us resolve our divorce arrangements. In the two-solicitor model, each firm is incentivised to generate conflict, as this generated more fees for them. There is no driver for them to reach a swift and amicable conclusion, as this would reduce their hourly billing.”
Individual client experience; outcomes and timescales vary.
Experts
in One Couple One Lawyer since 2017
90%
of couples reach agreement after their Advice Session
Fixed fees
agreed before you commit, never hourly
Regulated. Insured. Accountable.
Whatever stage you’re at, we can help.
Divorce & Separation
One Couple One Lawyer and a fair outcome for you both, whether you're married or not.
Co-parenting
What's best for your children, explained plainly by one lawyer you both trust, not two lawyers arguing for each of you.
Protecting Your Future Together
Getting married or moving in together? Get clarity on where you stand now and where you'd stand if you ever separated, before any disagreement arises. We have dedicated pre-nup and cohabitation agreement services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the One Couple One Lawyer process actually work?
One shared legal team - a barrister and solicitor - advises both of you together rather than one lawyer advising each partner separately. This gives you one clear, legally sound answer instead of two competing ones.
Is The Divorce Surgery regulated?
The Divorce Surgery is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (Entity Reference Number 169619), with professional indemnity insurance and a route to the Legal Ombudsman if anything goes wrong. Not every joint-advice provider is regulated to give legal advice, or covered if that advice turns out to be wrong; it's worth checking with any provider you're considering.
Can we use one divorce lawyer if we're not amicable?
Yes. You don't need to be getting along; you both just need to want a fair process instead of a fight. You never need to be in the same room together and can elect to receive all your advice in online meetings if you prefer.
Can I have my own solicitor in the background?
Yes. That doesn't stop the joint process working. One or both of you are welcome to have your own solicitors as a background sounding board if that helps.
Is working with one divorce lawyer the same as mediation?
No. Working with one divorce lawyer is not the same as mediation. A mediator can't give either of you legal advice. With us, you get legal advice, together, from a regulated solicitor and barrister, so you know your agreement is legally fair.
We have children together. When during the divorce process do we sort out arrangements for them?
Children's arrangements are usually discussed from the start, alongside finances and the divorce application, but every family is unique and we work at the pace you need.
How is my fixed fee worked out?
Your fee reflects the complexity of your situation, not your wealth. Our solicitors assess the nature of your financial resources, whether pension reports or business valuations are needed and the legal issues which need to be resolved in your particular circumstances. These all determine your fee, not your net worth. Two couples with very different bank balances but similarly straightforward situations will receive a similar quote.
If we change our minds during the process and don't want to continue, what happens to any fees we have paid?
Our fees are paid stage-by-stage, which means you do not pay for stages you have not reached and can stop the process at any time. The £200 Introductory Session fee is non-refundable once used, since it covers those sessions specifically, but it's deducted from your total fee if you proceed further. There's also a 14-day cooling-off period at the start of instructing us, provided no work has been done in that window.
Can't I just use an AI tool for divorce advice instead?
AI tools can provide general information, but they cannot replace regulated, tailored legal advice based on both partners’ circumstances. Every case is different, and a regulated solicitor or barrister needs to understand your specific circumstances to advise you properly.
Our Process.
Every stage is paced around your life.
Individual client experience; outcomes and timelines vary.
01
Free call with a client relationship manager
A confidential, no-charge call with our team, not lawyers, to understand your situation and check this is the right fit.
Free
02
Introductory Session
You each spend 45 mins individually with one of our solicitors, exploring your situation and the legal process. A fixed fee quote is then shared with you both.
£200 total, deducted from your fixed fee if you proceed
03
Financial Disclosure
Your shared solicitor supports you both to complete a Form E, so everything is fully and transparently on the table. Most couples take 4-6 weeks, working at their own pace.
In your fixed fee
04
Disclosure Session
You meet your barrister together, who analyses your disclosure, ensuring the full picture emerges before the Advice Session.
In your fixed fee
05
Advice Session
Your barrister tells you both, together, what a court would consider fair. This is followed by detailed written advice.
Most couples settle after this Session.
In your fixed fee
06
Financial Order Drafting
We turn your financial agreement into a legally binding court order and handle the paperwork.
No court attendance needed.
Fixed fee, quoted separately
“Faster, less confrontational, less stress, lower cost. It took us approximately a week to reach an agreement together, which I'm sure would have been much faster than a traditional service.”
Individual client experience; outcomes and timescales vary.
Is One Divorce Lawyer Right For You?
Not sure yet? Take our short quiz.
A few quick questions about your situation. Get a personalised answer on whether one lawyer could work for you.
Guidance from The Divorce Surgery’s Founders: Our Book
The Art of Untying the Knot
Available in paperback, e-book and audiobook, Samantha and Harry's step-by-step guide takes you through everything from setting goals to agreeing your finances and co-parenting arrangements, cutting out the legal jargon.
- Paperback
- E-book
- Audiobook
Guides, articles and press.
Guide
An Alternative to Divorce Mediation
If you’re looking for an alternative to divorce mediation, you’re not alone. Mediation is a valuable option for many … Read More
Last reviewed: 24 July 2026
Guide
What affects the Cost of an Amicable Divorce
What Does an Amicable Divorce Cost? If you’re wondering about the cost of an amicable divorce, you’re probably … Read More
Last reviewed: 24 July 2026
Guide
Samantha Woodham Citywealth 2026 Leaders List
We are pleased to share that our co-founder Samantha Woodham has once again been included in the Citywealth … Read More
Last reviewed: 29 July 2026
Our Barristers.
Our barristers are drawn from across the country’s top family law chambers. We match every case to the barrister it needs, from cost-effective juniors to the most experienced KCs, including Deputy High Court judges.
Find out if one divorce lawyer is right for both of you.
A free, confidential call: no pressure, no jargon, just answers.