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18 July 2025 / James Maguire
Issue: 8125 / Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus , Divorce , Family , ADR , Mediation
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Financial disputes on the rise

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Economic uncertainty, court delays, dwindling legal aid & rising costs are all aiding the recent rise in the number of financial disputes in divorce cases, writes James Maguire

According to figures from the Ministry of Justice, the number of financial remedy orders being contested in the family courts has reached the highest level in 15 years as separating spouses battle for the best outcomes in volatile financial times.

While these figures could be skewed by the number of people who waited for the no-fault divorce legislation which came into force in April 2022, there is an evident rise in financial cases being contested, and we’ve seen more clients investing their time and money to achieve a fair settlement. However, we see an equal number who cut too many corners to save time and costs, risking something which might end up being very unfair in the future or not sufficient to meet their financial needs. Like most things in life, there is a balance.

Economic uncertainty

Throughout

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Walkers—Muriel Marseille

Walkers—Muriel Marseille

Ashurst's Chief Risk Officer joins Walkers

Excello Law—John Osborne

Excello Law—John Osborne

Northern family lawyer John Osborne joins Excello

mfg Solicitors—Rebecca Rogers, Kennedy Langley & Victoria Griffiths

mfg Solicitors—Rebecca Rogers, Kennedy Langley & Victoria Griffiths

Trio of promotions announced at Kidderminster law firm mfg Solicitors

NEWS
A sole director can conspire with their own company for the purposes of the tort of unlawful means conspiracy, the High Court has ruled in a judgment with potentially wide implications for business disputes
The Court of Appeal has reinforced that domicile depends on intention rather than residence alone, in a significant post-Brexit ruling on cross-border financial remedy claims
The Chancery Division's long history comes to an end this autumn as it is reborn as the Business and Property Division, prompting questions over whether the shake-up is really necessary
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to show that failing to disclose regulatory issues can attract harsher consequences than the original misconduct itself
Rejecting a generous settlement can prove an expensive mistake, as two recent high-profile cases demonstrate
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