At our Family Law Surgeries, we offer a FREE one-hour in-person consultation with one of our specialist family lawyers. Find out more >> |
To discuss, in strict confidence, any issue concerning Divorce, Separation, Family Law, or Family Mediation, our Family Law Team is available on 01225 462871. Alternatively, you can email them, or complete the contact form at the foot of this page. |
For many, the process of separation and divorce can be bewildering and stressful. We will discuss all the dispute resolution options available to you, to enable you to decide on the best way to deal with issues arising out of your separation.
Solicitor-led negotiations
You may choose to instruct one of the solicitors in our specialist Family Team in the traditional way. We will only be able to act for you, and not for your former partner as well. We will negotiate with your former partner, or with their Solicitor if they choose to instruct one, on your behalf, obtaining all the relevant information and advising on potential settlements.
If an agreement can be reached through Solicitors, we will “make it legal” for you ensuring that it is embodied in a Consent Order or Separation Agreement without the need to attend court.
For many, the process of separation and divorce can be bewildering and stressful. We will discuss all the dispute resolution options available to you, to enable you to decide on the best way to deal with issues arising out of your separation.
“Sarah Jackson was extremely professional, proactive and thorough, whilst being friendly and approachable. She communicated well, kept me up to date and explained the processes throughout. She provided an excellent service and made everything as straightforward as possible for me.” SS, Client
See our helpful Guides covering every aspect of Divorce and Family Law. |
Court proceedings
If an agreement cannot be reached, or if you would like the benefit of a court timetable, you may apply to the court for an adjudication. Throughout the court process, you can continue to try to reach a settlement with your former partner, but in the event that this is not possible, the court will make a decision which you will both be bound by.
DIY approach
If you and your former partner are able to communicate effectively with each other, then it may be possible for you to reach an agreement with one another directly as to the division of your finances and arrangements for your children. In these circumstances, it is still advisable for you each to take separate, independent legal advice to ensure that you understand your rights and to ensure that the implications of the settlement are considered. It is also advisable to seek legal advice on the paperwork necessary to make your agreement legally binding.
Mediation
If you and your former partner would like to seek assistance together in resolving matters, mediation may assist. Our Mediator can help you and your former partner to talk things through and settle on a proposal for future arrangements for your children, finances or any other issues that arise following your separation. A Family Mediator is always impartial and will work on behalf of both of your equally. The Mediator does not offer advice but gives general information about the legal aspects of relationship breakdown and assists a couple to reach workable solutions.
Our Mediator is also a Law Society-accredited Family Solicitor and will ensure that any proposals you arrive at through Mediation can be made into a legally binding agreement should you wish. However, you will need to consult your own Solicitor to draft the relevant agreement.
“Without your professionalism and sound advice my daughter would not have reached a successful conclusion to her separation issues.” CB, Client
Collaborative Law
A further option is for you and your former partner each to appoint a Collaborative Lawyer. The collaborative process is designed to keep correspondence between lawyers to a minimum; the couple and their specially trained Collaborative Lawyers agree in writing at the start that they will not go to court, but that they will work together to resolve the issues in an amicable and dignified way. Issues are discussed and resolved in structured meetings (sometimes known as “round-table meetings”) attended by the couple and their lawyers, with the lawyers providing legal advice, guidance and support throughout.
Round-table Meetings
Alternatively, if you like the idea of resolving matters using round-table meetings but would like to retain the option of being able to apply to the court if negotiations break down, we can offer this as an option within the “Solicitor-led negotiations” process referred to above.
As can be seen, there are a variety of options available to suit the individual requirements of a separating couple.
All of the specialist lawyers in BLB’s Family team are members of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors Family Law Association). As such we are committed to adopting a constructive, as opposed to confrontational, approach to resolving matters and will give you clear, tailored advice based on your particular circumstances.
“I can’t fault the service that Sarah Jackson gave. She was always on the ball with everything that happened with my case.” JB, Client
