header-logo header-logo

NLJ this week: Private FDRs & other ways to kick the combat out of divorce

29 March 2024
Issue: 8065 / Categories: Legal News , Procedure & practice , Family , Divorce , Mediation
printer mail-detail
166021
A range of options are available for separating couples wishing to iron out their disputes without going head-to-head in court. In this week’s NLJ, Joanna Newton explores what’s available and sets out the pros, cons and quirks of each

Newton, partner at Stowe Family Law, writes: ‘Family lawyers are seeing a marked reduction in the number of couples going to final hearing, instead choosing more cost-effective, less acrimonious routes to getting a consent order in place.

‘In 2018, 14% of finance cases went to a final hearing. By 2023, this had fallen to around 3%.’

In an article packed full of information and practical advice, the author looks at FDR (financial dispute resolution) hearings, private FDR, mediation, collaborative divorce and arbitration.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
The ex-wife of a Russian billionaire has won her bid to bring her financial relief claim in London, in a unanimous Court of Appeal decision
back-to-top-scroll