The Court Process

We have been involved in many high profile and sensitive family law cases. Our team includes highly experienced lawyers who understand the impact of litigation on a family and the stress it can bring. They understand that a robust approach is, in some cases, the only way to resolve a divorce.  Our team not only understands the law, but also the complexities of personal relationships.  We have years of experience in the court system and we will help you to decide whether it is in your interests to have a court process in place.

Clients come to us for expert guidance and support. Our ambition is to try and give an accurate opinion of the outcome at the outset.  This means you can make an informed choice about a settlement offer or whether there is benefit to you in continuing in a court-led process.  We are transparent and upfront about costs versus the benefits and risks of litigation.

There is a myth that court proceedings are more expensive than alternatives to litigation.  That may be true in some cases, but there are some circumstances when a client will spend less on fees by starting proceedings early on.   We will consider carefully the financial impact of starting court proceedings and how, in the long term, your interests are best served.  We will ensure you fully understand the options open to you and we will be transparent about the costs involved in each process. We will not push you into court proceedings if you do not want to go to court.

When a court process starts, the court will start a timetable leading to full financial disclosure (which involves a financial statement known as a “Form E”).  A first court hearing, called a “First Directions Appointment” (FDA) will be listed with the aim of considering what further disclosure and valuations are needed to enable the parties to negotiate a settlement or, if that is not possible, enable the court to decide the outcome.

The court process encourages negotiation and agreements can, and often are, reached well before a Judge makes a final decision. The second stage of the court process is the “Financial Dispute Resolution” hearing (FDR), which involves Judge-led mediation in order to encourage settlement.

If an agreement cannot be reached, we will expertly prepare you and your case for a final hearing, always weighing up your options, the risks and the costs.  We will work with the right barrister for your personal circumstances ensuring you have the best representation in court.   We understand the particular strain and emotional upheaval that a final court hearing can cause.  Our clients regularly praise us for our client care and absolute determination to look after their interests.  We pride ourselves on giving clients excellent service, working with other professionals where necessary to give you full support at all times.