Access to Other Professionals

It is necessary in all cases to investigate whether Non Court Dispute Resolution options are suitable to assist with achieving an agreement. We can undertake your case Collaboratively if it is suitable or refer you to a Mediator, Arbitrator or for an Early Neutral Evaluation. Click here for more details about the NCDR options available to you to assist you. 

We recognise that for most people there is often a complex emotional backdrop to the circumstances which have led them to seek legal advice from us. 

We can refer you to counsellors, coaches and family therapists if you wish who can provide therapeutic support to you (and your family) to enable you to better cope with the legal practicalities of your situation. 

A Barrister is a lawyer often referred to as “Counsel” who can be instructed at any point during your case, if necessary, for advice either remotely or face to face in conference or to represent you in connection with more complex hearings within Court proceedings.

We have contacts with many experienced family Barristers who can be instructed to provide representation nationwide. 

If the assets of the relationship comprise of pensions, then it is common to require advice from a Pension on Divorce Expert (PODE), especially where one of spouse of civil partner has greater pension assets than the other. 

The advice is usually requested by both parties via their solicitors on a joint basis at their joint expense.  The report provides neutral advice on the options available in respect of the pension disparity, for example “pension sharing” or “offsetting” and the advice can be used to assist with formulating a settlement. 

We can instruct the PODE either within the context of negotiations between solicitors, during mediation or Financial Remedy proceedings. 

If the assets of a relationship comprise of business assets then it is often necessary to obtain a valuation of those business interests to understand how their value plays a part within the negotiation of a financial settlement. 

We can instruct accountants upon your behalf on a joint basis with your ex-partner’s solicitor to obtain a joint report to assist with the negotiations. 

Accountancy advice can also be obtained in a “shadowing” capacity if separate advice is required in respect of a joint report or if tax advice is needed.

If you do not already have a Independent Financial Advisor then we can refer you to Independent Financial Advisors for advice in connection with matters such as:-

• Mortgage Borrowing Capacity 
• Financial Planning
• Pension Advice for the investment of Pension Credits following a Pension Sharing Order
• Life Insurance 
• Investment Advice

If the advice of a medical practitioner or psychological assessment is required then we can instruct an expert to obtain advice for you in connection with your case.

Sometimes it can be necessary to engage the services of an independent social worker in cases involving a dispute over child arrangements.  We can liaise with agencies who can offer bespoke programmes of work with families. 

In child arrangement cases which involve issues such as paternity disputes or allegations of substance mis-use, we can arrange for appropriate testing when necessary where it has been agreed or directed by the Court.