Ian Butterworth

My Approach

I recognise that going through a separation can be an incredibly difficult and unsettling time. My approach is to give clear and constructive advice from the outset. My aim is to provide all of my clients with clarity on the best way forwards.

I specialise in resolving complex financial disputes between divorcing couples, including cases involving complex business structures and trusts. I also have expertise in negotiating pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.

I regularly deal with financial claims between unmarried couples and child-related disputes.

I sit as a Deputy District Judge which includes determining the outcome of many divorce cases. I also sit on the Resolution Specialist Accreditation Committee in London which provides oversight, strategy and direction for all of Resolution's accreditation schemes. These are the benchmark of excellence for family lawyers.

I aim to deal with all matters in an amicable and constructive manner. My approach is firm but fair. I use my knowledge and experience to assess the relevant issues at an early stage and then I try to negotiate a fair settlement without the parties having to attend Court. If and when necessary, however, I will use my skills as a litigator in order to secure a just result. I have a forensic eye for detail and an excellent track record at Court.

I work out of Ellis Jones’ office in Bournemouth. Subject to commitments, I am happy to meet with clients at this firm’s offices in London, Wimborne, Ringwood and Swanage. I am obviously also fully conversant with Microsoft Teams, Zoom and such other video platforms.

Area of Expertise

• All aspects of divorce and civil partnership dissolutions
• Complex financial disputes between separating spouses/civil partners
• Divorce cases involving businesses, trusts and high value pensions
• Financial disputes between unmarried couples (i.e. cohabitee disputes)
• Negotiating pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements
• Applications for Non-Molestation and Occupation Orders (i.e. to prevent harassment/domestic abuse)
• Child maintenance dispute
• Cohabitation agreements
• Children issue

Recent Work

• Acting for a client in a case involving a marital business which had a seed valuation of £18m.
• Representing a client in matrimonial finance proceedings whose spouse had failed to disclose a number of valuable assets in both the UK and abroad. My forensic analysis and attention to detail led to assets totalling over £1m being added to the parties’ balance sheet.
• Acting for a client in divorce proceedings based in the Central Family Court in London where the main asset was the family business. My approach led to this company (which supposedly did not have any value) being valued at well over £1m. My client also secured a substantial ‘joint lives’ maintenance order.
• Preparing pre-nuptial agreements in order to protect pre-marital wealth and inherited assets.
• Representing a client on a successful application to discharge a ‘joint lives’ spousal maintenance order and to secure a full clean break.
• Successfully challenging the terms of a pre-nuptial agreement within proceedings heard at the Central Family Court in London.
• Acting for clients living in the Middle East who had been joined to their brother’s divorce proceedings due to a dispute concerning their interest in the former matrimonial home. I have also acted for adult children and parents within proceedings to which they have been joined.
• Negotiating financial settlements for a number of unmarried clients where the extent of their respective interests in the former family home is in dispute.
• Representing clients in cases involving valuable NHS, Armed Forces, Civil Service and final salary (defined benefit) pensions. This includes income-gap issues.
• Acting for a client on a successful application for permission to relocate to another country with their children.

Professional Associations & Qualifications

• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 UK 2025 for Family Law - "Ian Butterworth brings a sharp intelligence and impressive legal ability to his cases."
• Appointed as Arbitrator by The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in January 2024
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 UK 2024 for Family Law
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 UK 2023 for Family Law
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2022) for Family Law.
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2019) for matrimonial finance cases
• Resolution Accredited Specialist in Complex Financial Cases
• Member of the Resolution Specialist Accreditation Committee (national)
• Appointed as  Deputy District Judge in May 2020
• Qualified as a Solicitor in September 2010
• Passed Solicitors Finals with Distinction at the University of the West of England, Bristol (2008)
• LLB Law Degree from the University of Surrey (obtained in 2006)