Interveners and Third Party Claims on Divorce

If one of the parties challenges that interest, then the third party may be required to intervene in the proceedings. Third parties can include parents, business partners and trustees among others. Our team of family lawyers has considerable experience of third party intervener cases and the difficulties which can arise. Intervener cases are unique, fact specific and often involve highly charged emotions. It is essential that the correct strategy is adopted from the outset in these cases, which is something our team prides itself on getting absolutely right.

We have expertise in protecting a wide range of third party interests both when a party actively seeks to join a case (so that they may assert their interest in a particular asset, such as a business or property) and also when they are the subject of an application by one party, to be joined to the litigation. We have the necessary knowledge and understanding to act tactically and effectively when interveners join proceedings in their own right, attend as a witness for husband or wife, or play no active part during the case.

We are experts in recognising and navigating the particular issues which effect intervener cases such as:

• Third party disclosure orders;
• Representing companies;
• Trust arrangements, including those offshore;
• Wider family issues;
• Setting aside transactions;
• Inheritance and succession planning; and
• ‘Matrimonial’ and ‘non-matrimonial’ assets.

We provide a full and well-rounded service, not just legal and tactical guidance. Our team has forged strong relationships with a diverse range of expert professionals (such as forensic accountants, offshore specialists, financial professionals, trust specialists and property and chancery counsel) both in the UK and abroad. We also involve and draw upon the expertise from other teams in our firm whenever needed, with the objective of working together seamlessly to provide knowledge and advice to our clients.

We focus upon our client’s best interests from the outset and encourage good tactical decisions to be made early on, to help third parties avoid being drawn into proceedings, whenever possible. If a third party becomes involved in family litigation then we have the ability, knowledge and understanding of the way in which these disputes play out and are contested. Our team therefore has extensive litigation experience, contacts and the all-important instinct which makes us uniquely placed to recognise and understand the issues and strategy required to defend and contest intervener cases.