If you have an FDR hearing coming up, you may be wondering what actually happens on the day. Although it is a court hearing, it works very differently from other court hearings. The goal of an FDR is to help both parties reach a financial settlement, and much of the...
Litigation loans in family law cases are designed to help individuals cover the costs associated with legal proceedings, ensuring they have access to necessary legal representation and resources. What is a Litigation Loan? A litigation loan, also known as a legal...
I get asked this question a lot by clients who are financially vulnerable in the marriage. They have little access to funds to pay their legal costs and worry how they will afford to progress their divorce. The family law system in England and Wales does have the...
In England and Wales, there has been a growing trend towards resolving disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation, arbitration, and adjudication. One such method is the Private Financial Dispute Resolution (pFDR), which is becoming...
In the legal system of England and Wales, the roles of solicitors and barristers are distinct yet complementary. These legal professionals play crucial roles in representing clients, providing legal advice, and advocating in court. Understanding their differences and...
Court hearings can be emotionally charged and legally intricate affairs. For clients navigating these proceedings, preparation is key, especially when it comes to presenting their oral testimony effectively as a witness. As a family law solicitor, you understand the...
Effective witness preparation can make all the difference in a case's outcome. As a family law solicitor, your role extends beyond legal counsel; you are often the guiding hand for clients navigating emotionally charged situations. Witness preparation training equips...
Private law child proceedings in England encompass a spectrum of legal processes aimed at resolving disputes related to child arrangements, parental responsibilities, and other familial matters. Central to this process is the choice of venue where these proceedings...
The most common question every divorce professional will be asked is “How much will my divorce cost?” (by this, the client means resolving the marriage, finances and children issues). The first 2 pieces of advice I always give my clients are: It is very difficult to...
Collaborative law is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that can be used in family law divorce cases. It is a voluntary process that involves both spouses and their respective solicitors working together to resolve issues related to their divorce without...
Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution that can be used in family law cases in England and Wales. What is Arbitration? Arbitration is a process where a neutral third party, called an arbitrator, is appointed to resolve a dispute. The parties agree to...
When you are asked to answer questions yourself at family court or arbitration hearings, it is known as providing oral evidence about your case and is commonly referred to as “giving evidence." When might you have to provide oral evidence? You are usually only...
Witness Familiarisation Training, also known as Witness Preparation Training, is a process that prepares individuals for their testimony in court. It is NOT about coaching witnesses to change their testimony but rather assisting them in delivering accurate and...
In the realm of family law mediation, divorcing couples often face a labyrinth of emotional and logistical challenges while navigating the complexities of separation. As a seasoned divorce consultant, I've had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how my work with...
The most common question I get asked by new clients is "how much will my divorce case cost?" They want me to let them know how much the total bill will be for the divorce solicitor. This is very difficult to answer. How much your divorce case costs are dependent on...
Going through divorce is tough and you need to feel confident and comfortable with your legal representation. So what do you do if you're not happy with your divorce solicitor? My suggestions are... Get clear with yourself what you're not happy about - something they...
It's becoming more and more common for couples to remain living in the same house during the divorce case. This tends to be for 1 of 3 reasons: It's not affordable for the family for one of the parties to move out and live elsewhere with the additional costs that...
Getting on with normal life, such as going to work each day, can be particularly challenging for people going through divorce. You may have days when you are feeling stressed, anxious or upset but the pressures of needing to maintain some normality as well as paying...