A NEWQUAY entrepreneur’s online divorce service he founded from his kitchen table five years ago has been shortlisted for the legal Oscars.

James Brien’s company Easy Online Divorce is a finalist for Alternative Legal Service Provider of the Year at the 2025 British Legal Awards.

The recognition places the firm alongside the world’s biggest law firms including DLA Piper and Latham & Watkins.

Mr Brien founded Easy Online Divorce in 2020 following his own painful and expensive divorce, determined to make the process simpler, faster, and more affordable for others. Easy Online Divorce began as a small start-up and has grown into a national, SRA-regulated service that has helped more than 15,000 clients across England and Wales.

The company pioneered the “one couple, one expert” model, replacing the traditional solicitor-against-solicitor approach with a collaborative, fixed-fee process. The innovation has cut divorce times in half, saved clients over £6 million in legal fees, and earned Easy Online Divorce a 4.8 out of five Trustpilot rating from more than 600 five-star reviews.

Mr Brien says making the shortlisting for the “Oscars of the legal industry” is an “extraordinary” achievement for a company rooted in Newquay.

He said: “When I started Easy Online Divorce at my kitchen table in Newquay, I never imagined we’d one day be recognised alongside the biggest law firms in the world.

“To be shortlisted at the British Legal Awards is mind-blowing and a testament to the hard work of our team. We set out to change the way families experience divorce – reducing conflict, saving people money, and helping them move on with their lives – and this recognition shows we’re making a real difference.”

The 2025 British Legal Awards ceremony, which is being hosted by TV presenter Davina McCall, will take place at the Honourable Artillery Company in London on Wednesday, November 26.