Isabella Giannone

Isabella is a dual-qualified lawyer, registered as a Solicitor of England and Wales and an Avvocato in Italy. With over 14 years of legal experience, she advises clients on complex international family law matters involving England, Wales and Italy, with particular expertise in financial remedies, jurisdiction disputes and multi-jurisdictional family proceedings.

Having graduated from the Faculty of Law at the Università degli Studi di Messina, Isabella qualified as an Avvocato and developed substantial experience advising clients on Italian family law, divorce and probate matters. Her early career provided her with a strong understanding of the legal and practical issues that arise when family disputes have an international dimension, particularly where assets, children or parties are located across different jurisdictions.

As a dual-qualified lawyer, Isabella is uniquely placed to guide clients through the legal complexities that arise when proceedings, assets and family arrangements extend beyond national borders.

Since relocating to the United Kingdom in 2021, Isabella has been a member of IMD Solicitors’ Family and Probate team, where she advises on a broad range of family matters whilst continuing to practise as an Italian-qualified lawyer. Her practice is centred on international family law, with a particular focus on financial remedies, jurisdiction disputes, international divorce, child-related matters and the strategic management of cases involving parallel proceedings in multiple countries.

Isabella regularly assists clients facing complex financial issues arising from divorce and separation, including matters involving overseas property portfolios, business interests, hidden or disputed assets, third-party ownership arrangements and competing claims across jurisdictions. She works closely with clients to identify the most advantageous forum in which to pursue proceedings and to develop strategies that protect both their financial position and their long-term objectives.

Clients value Isabella’s ability to combine detailed legal analysis with practical commercial awareness and a genuine understanding of the emotional challenges often accompanying family disputes. Her meticulous approach to case preparation, attention to detail and ability to navigate complex international legal issues have consistently resulted in positive outcomes and strong client feedback.

As part of her practice, Isabella regularly advises Local Authorities and private clients on cross-border family law issues involving England and Wales and Italy. Her work frequently includes matters concerning the recognition, implementation and enforcement of orders across jurisdictions, requiring careful coordination between different legal systems and procedural frameworks.

Representative examples of Isabella’s work include:

• Advising Local Authorities on cross-border family law issues, particularly matters involving the recognition and implementation of orders between England and Wales and Italy, and assisting with the practical coordination of proceedings across jurisdictions.
• Representing a client in a highly complex multi-jurisdictional divorce involving competing proceedings issued across multiple countries and significant disputes regarding both financial matters and arrangements for children. Isabella successfully represented the client before the Italian Court and obtained an immediate stay of proceedings, resulting in the English Court retaining jurisdiction. This enabled the client to continue proceedings in the forum most advantageous to her interests and demonstrated Isabella’s expertise in international litigation strategy and jurisdictional disputes.
• Acting for a client in contentious divorce proceedings taking place simultaneously in England and Italy. Through detailed negotiations and strategic case management, Isabella secured an agreement concerning the children that achieved a significantly more favourable outcome than would likely have been obtained through continued litigation. The agreement was subsequently formalised and approved by the Italian Court. Isabella continues to advise on the complex financial aspects of the case, involving assets held across multiple jurisdictions and additional assets held in third-party names.
• Representing a client in highly contested financial remedy proceedings involving substantial assets located across several jurisdictions. The matter raised complex issues concerning matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets, beneficial ownership and competing financial claims. Through detailed financial analysis, careful scenario planning and strategic settlement negotiations, Isabella successfully guided the matter to settlement at the Financial Dispute Resolution hearing. The settlement enabled the client to retain the family home together with all overseas assets, achieving an exceptionally positive result.

Alongside her casework, Isabella regularly contributes legal articles and commentary to IMD Solicitors’ website and social media platforms, helping individuals understand complex legal issues through practical and accessible guidance. She is also actively involved in the firm’s Legal Clinic, providing free legal assistance to individuals who may not otherwise have access to professional legal support.

Isabella also co-authored the article “Responding to International Child Abduction: Legal Pathways and Enforcement Challenges”, published in ICLG Family Law 2026. The publication reflects her experience in international family law, cross-border litigation and child protection matters.

Whether advising on international divorce, jurisdictional disputes, financial remedies or cross-border family proceedings, Isabella is committed to providing clear, strategic and compassionate guidance tailored to each client’s circumstances.

Outside the courtroom you will find Isabella recharging with the quieter joys of life. She is an avid reader who enjoys getting lost in a good book, taking long walks in the park to clear my head, and spending quality time at home cuddling my cats. These moments of calm and connection help her stay grounded, focused, and energized qualities I bring with me into my work every day.