Isla Fisher ‘contacted fearsome celebrity divorce lawyer two years ago before split from Sacha Baron Cohen’

Isla Fisher reportedly told friends she was seeking the advice of a formidable celebrity divorce lawyer in 2022 before her split from her estranged husband Sacha Baron Cohen.

Actress Isla, 48, is said to have quietly got in touch with Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who charges £550 per hour and was the legal expert who was involved in Sir Paul McCartney’s £24million split from Heather Mills.

On Friday, British actor Sacha, 52 and Australian star Isla announced they had quietly separated last year.

When Isla contacted Baroness Shackleton in 2022 she is said to have advised the screen star and Sacha, who reportedly have a prenup, to go down the ‘amicable route’.

It has been claimed Isla and Sacha, who have three children, could attempt to come to a settlement over Sacha’s £40million estate.

A source told The Sun: ‘Isla has known for some time the marriage was over, and after some difficult conversations with Sacha, made the decision to consult a divorce lawyer. This was back in early summer, 2022.

‘Fiona Shackleton was recommended by mutual contacts, and Isla was put in touch with an associate at the office.

‘It was also suggested she seek out a lawyer in the US, where the couple have a home.

‘Fiona is an incredible lawyer, and utterly fearsome in both reputation and ability.’

They went on to say it was suggested the pair attempt to keep things as amicable as possible for the sake of their children.

But, if things do turn sour, Fiona will ensure she does a thorough job for her client Isla.

Borat star Sacha is said to have spoken to Laura Wasser who represented Johnny Depp when he split from Amber Heard, and was involved in Angelina Jolie’s divorce from Brad Pitt.

Isla and Sacha announced their split by sharing a picture of themselves together while wearing tennis gear.

Their statement read: ‘After a long tennis match lasting over 20 years, we are finally putting our racquets down.

‘In 2023 we jointly filed to end our marriage. We have always prioritized our privacy and have been quietly working through this change.

‘We forever share in our devotion and love for our children. We sincerely appreciate your respecting our family’s wish for privacy.’

The couple first met back in 2001 and tied the knot in 2010. They are parents to daughters Olive, 17 and Elula, 13, and son Montgomery, nine.

MailOnline contacted representatives for comment.

The Mail on Sunday has revealed that rumours suggesting their marriage was over began to swirl last year, when the couple began house-hunting in London.

For some years they had split their time between Los Angeles and the Australian city of Perth.

However, Baron Cohen, 52, who grew up in Hammersmith and is very close to his family, was itching to return to London, while his wife was happier in her native Australia. 

The disagreement over where they lived is said to have taken its toll on the pair, who had been together since 2001.

Insiders have claimed their marriage had been ‘shaky’ for years, with Sacha reportedly struggling after making the ‘sacrifice’ to relocate their family to Australia back in 2020.

‘Their marriage has been shaky for years,’ an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively. ‘The breakdown started when they relocated to Australia so that she could be closer to her family. But it left Sacha far removed from everyone he knows.

‘He made this sacrifice for her and would make many sacrifices for her throughout their marriage. He is deeply affected by their split because she was his life for many years.’

Friday’s announcement came after Rebel Wilson made shock claims about her experience with ‘a**hole’ comedian Sacha in her new memoir, Rebel Rising.

Rebel played Borat star Sacha’s on-screen girlfriend in the 2016 comedy The Brothers Grimsby and made a series of allegations about her uncomfortable experience during shooting.

She alleged that on the set of the Louis Leterrier-directed film, Sacha would ask her to strip off for scenes despite her ‘no nudity’ rule, in a string of claims which Sacha has strenuously denied and says are contradicted by evidence.

Just two months ago Isla discussed her Valentine’s plans with Sacha on The Kelly Clarkson show, saying: ‘Every year Sacha does give me a card that’s like, ‘Happy Valentine’s from… ’ and then there’s a massive question mark.

‘As if anybody else would send me … as if I have any other Valentines. I’m a mother of three. I mean, I’m always like, ‘Ooooh. So many men’.’

In July 2023, the pair’s marriage appeared stronger than ever during a trip to Greece with Isla sharing a snap of herself sharing a passionate kiss with her husband.

Back in January 2022 Isla revealed it was love at first sight for the pair in a rare interview about their marriage.

‘I totally loved him right away. I mean I knew it was definitely love at first sight,’ she added.

Elsewhere in the interview, Isla reflected on the couple having been together for two decades – a rarity in the fickle world of show business.

‘I think by Hollywood standards it’s probably 200 years!’ she joked. ‘I feel like it’s a Golden Jubilee or something. Everyone was congratulating me’.

‘It is a fun ride. I feel so lucky to have Sacha in my life. Now we have this beautiful family and we survived lockdown together, which you know, it is not easy for any couple,’ Isla added.

Isla and UK-born Sacha met at a party in Sydney in 2002 and married eight years later.