Divorce Lawyer Assesses HBO War Legal Drama

HBO's legal drama War examines a high-profile London divorce between tech billionaire Morgan Henderson and Hollywood star Carla Duval, while UK family lawyer Daniel Sugaré evaluates the show's portrayal of rival attorneys, courtroom tactics and relationship breakdowns.

According to Sugaré, head of the family law department at Sugaré & Co. Solicitors in the UK, the series' depiction of lawyers using extreme strategies is heavily dramatized for television audiences.

One storyline follows Cathcarts & Sons sending young lawyer Johnny Warren to rival firm Taylor & Byrne as an informant. Sugaré said such conduct would breach professional duties in real legal practice.

"Johnny would be struck off immediately by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)," said Daniel Sugaré, head of the family law department at Sugaré & Co. Solicitors.

Sugaré explained that lawyers must protect client information and act in their clients' interests, with disciplinary consequences possible for serious confidentiality breaches.

"You've got a duty to your clients to act confidentially, act in their best interests, and by sharing information like in that manner, that they would be bound for disciplinary procedures," said Daniel Sugaré.

The lawyer also addressed the senior figures behind the fictional scheme, saying those responsible would face serious consequences under professional rules.

"They would also face significant legal consequences from the SRA and potentially criminal proceedings," said Daniel Sugaré.

Sugaré said real divorce lawyers may act firmly when protecting clients but generally work to help parties reach agreements rather than escalate disputes.

"In certain cases, you have to act in an aggressive way to protect your client's interest," said Daniel Sugaré.

The drama also shows Carla arranging a situation to prove Morgan's infidelity and potentially use a prenuptial agreement clause. Sugaré said such a strategy would not normally change financial outcomes in England.

"An affair is not ordinarily a legal escape route from a prenuptial agreement," said Daniel Sugaré.

Sugaré added that infidelity clauses are unusual in England because prenuptial agreements generally focus on financial arrangements rather than punishment for cheating.

"Even if this agreement contains an infidelity clause, Carla could not assume that the court would enforce it. While these cases are fact specific, proof of an affair would not ordinarily invalidate the agreement or entitle her to a larger settlement," said Daniel Sugaré.

The show also features Morgan serving divorce papers to Carla on a red carpet. Sugaré said the dramatic public moment does not provide a legal advantage.

"The race to start divorce proceedings makes good television, but being the applicant does not give Morgan priority over the assets or make the judge more sympathetic to him," said Daniel Sugaré.

He noted that while the scene is legally possible, divorce applications are normally handled through standard communication methods rather than public events.

"It can get aggressive. It can be vicious. It can be personal, and the job of the lawyer is to try and rein your client in," said Daniel Sugaré.

Sugaré said lawyers aim to help clients focus on decisions after a marriage ends rather than remain consumed by conflict.

"Reach sensible agreements or make big decisions about their future," said Daniel Sugaré.

He also advised couples considering marriage to discuss financial arrangements before problems arise.

"In the right circumstances, a prenuptial agreement can give both parties clarity and certainty. It may not be the most romantic conversation before a wedding, but being open about finances at the outset can prevent far greater conflict later," said Daniel Sugaré.