How the Francophone Desk can help you
London is often described as France’s “sixth largest city” and remains a preferred destination for European expatriates, High Net Worth individuals, and their families. The 2021 Census recorded an estimated 165,517 French passport holders in England and Wales, and in 2023 the UK was home to approximately 40,200 to 42,600 Swiss citizens.
To appropriately meet the growing needs of this community, we have substantially expanded our established Francophone Desk. This dedicated service supports French, Swiss, and wider Francophone families involved in international divorce and family law matters. Whether relocating to the UK, departing with children, maintaining homes in multiple jurisdictions, or managing complex cross‑border arrangements, our team offers sturdy legal assistance, customised to the relevant issues.
Our Francophone Desk provides tailored legal advice across all areas of family law. We combine extensive experience in high‑level international litigation with a deep understanding of the cultural and practical considerations affecting international families. Our bilingual lawyers assist clients in navigating an often-unfamiliar legal system, allowing them to face procedures with confidence and clarity in respect of the issues at hand.
This enhanced service further consolidates our standing as a leading firm in both domestic and international family law.
The Francophone Desk Team
Our French-speaking Desk is operated by a partner, a senior associate, and a solicitor to ensure that the level of fees charged is always adapted to your individual financial situation.
Charlotte Image-Flower, partner, is highly experienced in the field of children law, in which she has practiced exclusively since 2010, in both private and public law matters, as well as care cases. She is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, registered with the Law Society of England and Wales and a Resolution accredited specialist in public children law and domestic abuse. She is on the Law Society Children panel, making her qualified to represent children. Charlotte is also a member of the Law Society Children’s Law Sub-Committee. In addition, she is a member of the Association of Lawyers for Children and of the Franco-British Lawyer’s Society. As an expert public children law practitioner, she is also an active member of both the Central Family Court and the East London Family Court Duty Solicitor’s Scheme. She was appointed to sit on the South Eastern Circuit within the Civil and Family jurisdictions as a Deputy District Judge in February 2024. Her appointment as a Recorder was announced in June 2026.
Floriane Laruelle, senior associate, is Vice-president of the Franco-British Lawyer’s Society and a Resolution specialist in managing domestic violence situations. She is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales, registered with The Law Society of England & Wales. She is also specialised in international children law and frequently manages cases related to care, overseas relocation or international abduction.
Jennifer Brockington-Belli, solicitor, is a qualified Swiss lawyer and solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales. Jennifer practised at the Geneva Bar for more than ten years, during which she gained experience in domestic and international family matters. She holds a master’s degree in Swiss and French law from the universities of Assas-Paris II and Fribourg. She specialises in both children’s matters and finances (matrimonial and related to wider family matters).
Charlotte, Floriane and Jennifer work closely with an international network of family law lawyers, including FBLS members and trusted practitioners in France, Switzerland and other French-speaking jurisdictions. They have extensive knowledge of the French and Swiss legal systems, and Jennifer is also able to provide advice on Swiss family law.
Their combined expertise enables our team to deliver comprehensive, precise, and efficient advice on even the most complex matters, including those involving multiple jurisdictions.
What do our clients benefit from?
- Solicitors registered in England and Wales and a qualified Swiss avocate with many years of experience at the Geneva Bar.
- In-depth knowledge of French, Swiss and French-speaking cross-border affairs.
- A bilingual French/English team able to provide a smooth service.
- A solid network of contacts developed over the years in England and Wales, France, Switzerland and French-speaking countries.
- Tailor-made service for every client, including high-net-worth individuals and families.
- Emergency telephone line in the event of a child abduction: +44 (0) 79 5252 5699
To view this page in French, click here