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29 March 2024
Issue: 8065 / Categories: Legal News , Procedure & practice , Family , Divorce , Mediation
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NLJ this week: Private FDRs & other ways to kick the combat out of divorce

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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

Thomson Hayton Winkley—Jordan Wallace

Thomson Hayton Winkley—Jordan Wallace

Thomson Hayton Winkley strengthens family law team

Ward Hadaway—Barnaby Rosenthall

Ward Hadaway—Barnaby Rosenthall

Construction lawyer returns to Ward Hadaway in Teesside role

Bird & Bird—Shahin Baghaei

Bird & Bird—Shahin Baghaei

Bird Bird hires leading legal transformation expert

NEWS
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

How forcefully can a litigant criticise a public authority before robust advocacy crosses the line into unreasonable conduct? 
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