Representing people in Birmingham, London and up and down the country, I’ve successfully litigated the most complex family law cases. The cases I work on involve divorce, money or children.

I’ve helped families with very complicated family law issues in the UK and internationally. I have an established practice representing people across a wide range of financial claims on divorce, including large and small business owners and entrepreneurs. This also includes a niche area advising in the context of third party intervenor claims.

I am one of only a small handful of lawyers based outside of London that has a true expertise in dealing with complicated tax structures, overseas trusts and assets. I have delivered training to other family lawyers on these issues. My practice spans across various foreign jurisdictions, representing professional trustees and spouses with international connections.

I’ve represented many parents in disputes about their children, including child abductions and relocation locally and abroad. Reunite, the leading UK charity specialising in the movement of children across international borders, lists me as one of five specialist lawyers in the West Midlands that deals with these issues.

I am regarded as a complete expert in all cases involving alienating children, fact find hearings and giving advice to parents and grandparents.

As well as handling complex cases, I became a registered lawyer with the Football Association. I’ve also contributed to the book ‘Retired: What Footballers Do When The Game’s Up’. My expertise is often in demand from professional football players, who value my ability to combine legal advice with an in depth knowledge of the industry.

Over the years I’ve built up a niche practice advising families from Asian communities and the issues that commonly arise. This often includes representing third party family members who may have an interest in matrimonial assets or defending these claims and resolving issues involving jewellery, self employed businesses and marriages with allegations of abuse. I’m one of only a handful of specialists in this area and regularly write and lecture on the topic.

I am independently recognised as leading family lawyer. Most of my cases come from recommendations. I place a high value on client care, which is shown in the volume of 5* Trust Pilot reviews that I have received. I have also won multiple awards (IAFL European Lawyer Award 2016, Law Society Solicitor of the Year 2015, Jordan’s Family Law Team of the Year 2017, and Birmingham Law Society – Family Law Team Excellence in Client Service 2019).

Irwin Mitchell is pleased to announce that Sarah Al-Jourani, a family law specialist at the firm, has been nominated to serve as the UK Chair for Inter-Cultural Dialogue within the prestigious G100 group.

G100 is renowned for its vision and commitment to empowering women worldwide. The group comprises Nobel Laureates, former Heads of States, Ministers, businesswomen, philanthropists, investors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, all united in their purpose to create substantial opportunities for women globally.

Fluent Arabic speaking Sarah is a member of Irwin Mitchell’s Religious and Cultural Team of Excellence. She is a specialist in Islamic divorce and was nominated by G100 Global Chair, Dr. Aurora Martin. As a Country Chair for the Inter-Cultural Dialogue sector, she’ll assume the responsibility of fostering a network of State/Region City/District Chairs, and/or 100 members. This network, in turn, will cultivate connections and create a robust leadership network by December 2023.

Matthew specialises in multi-jurisdictional wealth structuring, international tax and trusts, cross-border philanthropy and worldwide estate planning for high & ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families.

He has worked at leading global law firms and spent time in top-ranked London and regional private wealth teams managing the full spectrum of private client matters, from the preparation of tax-efficient wills, family trusts and powers of attorney to cross-border probates and the administration of high-value and complex estates.

He focuses on assisting the internationally mobile, including non-UK domiciled individuals moving to the UK who require pre-arrival tax planning, and clients departing the UK who would like to plan for their exit. He also advises owner-managed and family-owned businesses on issues of tax, succession, control, governance and capacity.

He particularly enjoys helping clients achieve their philanthropic goals and assist with the creation, registration and running of charitable vehicles, including trusts and charitable incorporated organisations. He also acts as a charity trustee.