Resolution Together allows one solicitor to work on a joint basis with two parties by providing guidance and appropriate legal advice where required, to assist in resolving issues arising in connection with the children or the family finances.
What is Resolution Together?
The jointly appointed solicitor can assist both parties with all aspects of their divorce, including negotiations and disclosure in relation to finances and the formalities required to have a financial agreement endorsed by the Court on divorce.
How does Resolution Together work?
Over a series of joint meetings, the parties work with a jointly appointed solicitor to agree a satisfactory resolution. The meetings will be open to both parties and all information will be freely shared between the parties and their shared lawyer. The parties can obtain additional support and information from experts throughout the process, including family therapists, mediators, IFA’s, pensions advisers etc.
Will Resolution Together be a good option for me?
Resolution Together will not be suitable for every dispute, nor for every separating couple. It is likely to work well if parties are seeking to work amicably and by consensus with one another and are committed to engaging with a solicitor to find solutions to the dispute in a cooperative and open fashion.
Resolution Together is unlikely to achieve a positive outcome in cases with unresolved allegations of domestic abuse, safeguarding concerns for children, or generally high levels of emotion, conflict or an imbalance of power between the parties. In these circumstances, other forms of dispute resolution may be more appropriate.
Working with a spouse/ex-partner and sharing the cost of one solicitor represents an opportunity to proactively manage legal fees and ensure they are kept to a minimum.
I’m interested in Resolution Together. What are the next steps?
Resolution Together will not work for every couple and it is important to discuss its pros and cons with a lawyer before undertaking the Resolution Together process.
To resolve matters using the Resolution Together process, your prospective lawyer will have a conversation with each party before deciding if it is suitable for their particular circumstances. If it is, both parties will need to agree specialist terms and conditions before moving forward.
This article is written by Annabel Haayward of Hawkins Family Law. The information it contains reflects the author’s view and is believed to be correct at the date of publication. However, it is necessarily of a brief and general nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional legal advice.