On
the 22nd April this year a considerable change was made by the
government to the way separating couples will be required to deal with their
divorce and any negotiations relating to financial matters or the arrangements
to be made for the care of their children.
All
couples will now be required to at least consider mediation as a way forward
before they will be able to approach the courts. It is the government’s
intention to keep lawyers away from the process as much as possible.
Many
family lawyers are concerned that this may result in couples not receiving the
appropriate advice at a very important time in their lives. Indeed it is proposed
that there will be advice centres staffed by trainee lawyers and students.
Neil
Remnant of JMP Solicitors who has been in practice as a family lawyer for 40
years commented “As a resolution member I am committed to providing a
constructive and non confrontational approach to dealing with separation and in
my opinion mediation should run in conjunction with the court process”.
At
JMP Solicitors Neil provides set fee arrangements for advising separating
couples and in the vast majority of cases settlements are achieved without
expensive and lengthy court proceedings.
There
is no doubt that it is essential that separating couples receive the correct
and proper help and advice at what is a very important time of their lives when
the decisions they make could affect the rest of their lives. The best legal
advice is absolutely essential and should not be overlooked.
Contact Neil Remnant on nremnant@jmp-solicitors.com or on 01476 565 295.
