Family Law

For people across the UK, today marks the first day back to reality. Although many have already returned to work, for others, the first working Monday in January means that decorations are down, schools are back, the intention of starting a new diet is stronger and married couples are considering divorce.

In recent years, a rise in the number of inquiries to solicitors regarding separation after the Christmas period, on the first working Monday in January, has led to it commonly being referred to as “Divorce Day”.

The rise of Netflix and Amazon box sets such as Suits and The Good Wife leave viewers with the notion that the courtroom is a place for vindication and that it is an attractive forum for resolving disputes.  The reality, however, is that for a number of reasons, not least cost, litigation often leads to a far less desirable outcome than expected – for either party.

The drawbacks of litigating in family law cases include:

• The length of time that it takes to resolve matters
• Cost implications of “court battles”
• What is said in court cannot be “unsaid”
• Family members may feel forced to “take sides”
• It is stressful not only for the parties involved but also their children and wider family members.

Read the rest of this Press and Journal article here