Better Together: One Lawyer Two Clients

Joanna Lawrence, Senior Associate Solicitor at Girlings Solicitors, has recently completed training in a new initiative, Resolution Together, whereby one solicitor oversees the divorce of a separating couple.

This initiative is an alternative to the more traditional route, whereby each couple instructs a separate lawyer who works in their own individual interests, around their finances and any family arrangements.

The Resolution Together initiative allows a separating couple to reach an agreement in connection with matters of dispute arising from the end of their marriage. This might include matters concerning arrangements for children or separating the family finances.

The emphasis is on transparency, and openness of communication as well as dispute resolution. It is a constructive, collaborative and conciliatory approach to resolving matters with both parties committed to reaching an agreement without resorting to expensive and often time-consuming litigation.

As a trained practitioner of the initiative, Joanna will jointly guide separated couples towards reaching a financial settlement together or to agree together arrangements regarding the children and go on to draft any relevant applications to the Court to have their agreement given effect as a Court Order. Essentially it allows “one lawyer for two clients”.

This process is only effective, however, when committed to by both parties. The Family Lawyer overseeing the divorce will provide legal advice to both clients to guide them and help them reach an amicable agreement. The lawyer will also seek to resolve any matters which they cannot agree on without judicial intervention.

Resolution Together compliments the recent change in divorce law (No Fault Divorce introduced into UK law in April 2022), to remove the need to find ‘fault’ with the other party for the breakdown of the marriage. It builds on the less adversarial approach to ending a marriage and encourages parties to resolve their issues in a more amicable manner.

Joanna Lawrence Senior Associate Solicitor

Tel: 01227 367355

Email: joannalawrence@girlings.com

Joanna is also able to assist in matters which require expert advice and can refer to our in-house independent financial adviser for further guidance when necessary.

If there are specific areas which the parties are unable to agree on, then Joanna can refer parties to other methods of alternative dispute resolution which require external adjudication. This does not mean that Court proceedings are inevitable if there are one or two points which cannot be agreed on.

Not all clients will be eligible for this initiative. It is not open to couples where domestic abuse has been a feature of the relationship, for exmaple. Each client will undertake a suitability assessment to confirm whether this initiative is in their best interests before a joint meeting is conducted with the other party.

If this is something that you feel is right for you then do not hesitate to contact Joanna Lawrence for more information.