
Newton, partner at Stowe Family Law, writes: ‘Family lawyers are seeing a marked reduction in the number of couples going to final hearing, instead choosing more cost-effective, less acrimonious routes to getting a consent order in place.
‘In 2018, 14% of finance cases went to a final hearing. By 2023, this had fallen to around 3%.’
In an article packed full of information and practical advice, the author looks at FDR (financial dispute resolution) hearings, private FDR, mediation, collaborative divorce and arbitration.