Terms and Conditions

How I Work

As a Divorce and Separation Consultant, I provide practical help and emotional support to navigate the client through this difficult time in their life. I will undertake to work with the client until such time as they feel ready to cease the working relationship. I will endeavour to attend all meetings or telephone calls on time and will always be prepared for the session.

I will conduct all dealings with the client with respect, honesty and confidentiality. I will share with the client my knowledge and experience as is appropriate. I will give the client all the guidance, help, support and encouragement within the scope of being a consultant. It is my duty to recommend the services of other professionals if appropriate.

Legal Advice 
The client understands that the Consultant is not an alternative to having a family law solicitor and the client will still require a solicitor to represent them should they wish to start legal proceedings. I will not give strict legal advice but can explain legal terms, procedures and provide guidance for how to approach the legal proceedings. Where appropriate, I will refer the client to a solicitor for legal advice.

Charges
I charge an hourly rate. The client is informed of the rate at the time of booking the first appointment. I charge for all work carried out on behalf of the client, e.g. meetings, telephone calls, emails, research, recommendations, advice via text message, etc. All types of work are charged at the same hourly rate. Work carried out for less than an hour is charged on a pro-rata basis at my hourly rate.

Travel to Meetings
There is no charge for travel time to meetings which take place within a 5 mile radius of my offices in Walton on Thames in Surrey. Anything outside of this is charged at 45p per mile and this is added to the price of the meeting.

For meetings taking place in London, I will be travelling by train, and a charge is made for my travel time and expenses.

Payments
Payment of all invoices is due within 7 days of the date on the invoice. The invoice for the first meeting is sent to the client for payment prior to the date of the meeting. For all other work carried out on the client’s case, invoices are sent to the client by email at the end of each month. All payments are to be paid by bank transfer. Should you find it difficult to pay by bank transfer then you can request to pay via credit card payment, but please be aware that there will be an additional charge of 2% added to your invoice. 

 Late Payment of Invoices 
An administration charge of £30 will be added once the invoice becomes 28 days overdue. If the invoice remains unpaid 28 days after the due date, interest will accrue at 2% per day.

Non-Payment of Invoices
In default of payment after 90 days, the client’s name, telephone number and details of the outstanding invoices will be passed to a debt recovery company. The client by engagement of my services they will be responsible for all third-party debt collection costs, including legal costs and interest.

Appointments
The first meeting is carried out face to face, via video or in-person. Payment for this is due by bank transfer prior to the date of the first meeting.

Subsequent appointments can be carried out via Zoom, in person or on the telephone, depending on the client’s preference.

Cancellation Policy and “No Shows”
I limit the number of clients per day so that I give each client the time and consideration they deserve. Every cancellation at short notice represents a loss of income, so I require as much notice as possible. A minimum of 48 hours notice of any changes to your appointment is required to avoid being charged a £50 cancellation fee. This fee also applies to people who do not turn up to their appointments (including both telephone and face-to-face meetings).

Hours of Business
My hours of business are Monday- Friday from 9.30am – 5.30pm. I aim to respond to emails and voicemail messages within 24 hours within these hours. I am not available outside of these hours.

Your Wellbeing in My Care
As a Divorce and Separation Consultant, I provide practical help and emotional support to navigate the client through this difficult time in their life.
I find that this work can bring up emotional and difficult issues for clients. As such I want to assure you how I support you emotionally throughout our working relationship.

Emotional Support I’m able and qualified to offer
I’m a consultant and coach who is able to listen and provide you with the confidence to make the right decisions for you. This, alongside being a qualified solicitor, provides a unique perspective to support you during the time you take to investigate the possibility of divorce and any decisions you go on to make.
With over 20 years of experience in supporting people through divorce and separation, I have the professional knowledge and ‘softer’ skills to support you through this difficult time.

Emotional Support I’m not able nor qualified to offer
I am not a trained or qualified therapist, and providing therapeutic support falls outside my remit as a divorce consultant. In the event that I am not able to support a client emotionally to the extent required, I will proceed to recommend qualified individuals or organisations to contact who will be able to go further in-depth on the emotional wellbeing and mental health side of support than I can. It is normally sensible for the client’s first port of call to be their own GP. In addition, there are other professionals available who can provide support.

These include individuals or organisations who offer:

• Counselling or another appropriate therapy
• Psychology Specialist
• Trauma support

In some cases, I will make the decision to work with a client only where I deem them to have good additional emotional support in place alongside our work. This is to safeguard both my clients and myself to ensure they are receiving the best possible support available.
 
Emergency Contact and Out of Hours
My hours of business are Monday- Friday from 9.30am – 5.30pm. I aim to respond to emails and voicemail messages within 24hrs within these hours. Please note that I am not available outside of these hours under any circumstances. I am not an emergency contact or support and should not be used as one.

Important Note:
If any of my client finds themselves in a situation where they feel in fear of theirs or their children’s personal safety, my advice is always for them to contact the police on 999.