Many couples are daunted by the prospect of what can be protracted, stressful and expensive court proceedings to settle their differences upon separation and divorce. For this reason, rising numbers are seeking non-confrontational routes to settlement.

Jones Myers family lawyers are prominent supporters of alternative dispute resolution – striving to resolve family disputes constructively wherever possible, to try and avoid what can be costly and stressful litigation.

Our approach encourages clients to co-operate and reach agreement wherever possible about dividing their assets and securing the future of their children, whose interests should always come first.

There are a number of ways this can be achieved to avoid the need for court proceedings.

Negotiations

Our highly skilled Leeds, Harrogate and York based family law specialists are adept at dealing with all aspects of divorce and separation.

If appropriate, you can conduct negotiations directly with your spouse on an informal basis – or we can conduct those negotiations on your behalf advising you as to your rights and entitlement

Jones Myers can assist to a greater or lesser degree – dependent upon your requirements.

You may have already reached an agreement and require assistance in formalising it. Alternatively, we can negotiate on your behalf in correspondence or, if appropriate, arrange a round table meeting with all parties and their legal advisors to reach an agreement. This can then be recorded in a document which is sent to court and can become a binding court order.


Mediation

Mediation enables both parties to resolve their issues and reach a settlement without going to court. Many couples are daunted by the prospect of what can be protracted, stressful and expensive court proceedings to settle their differences upon separation and divorce. For this reason, rising numbers are seeking non-confrontational routes to settlement.

Jones Myers family lawyers are prominent supporters of alternative dispute resolution – striving to resolve family disputes constructively, wherever possible, to try to avoid what can be costly, public and stressful litigation.

In mediation a trained, impartial mediator facilitates confidential, voluntary discussions between the parties, helping to move dialogue forward. The process enables both parties to retain their own solicitor who they can consult outside of the mediation sessions.

Jones Myers can refer you to a mediator and can offer you support and legal advice to help you prepare for, and achieve, the desired outcome from the mediation.  These discussions are designed to produce an agreement which our team can formalise into a binding court order – without you having to go to court.

Mediation can also be effective in resolving disputes relating to children. Our expert at Jones Myers is Peter Jones.

If you would like to explore mediation as an option for resolving any family matter, please contact please contact Richard Peaker in Leeds, Nicki Mitchell in York, or Neil Dring in Harrogate by telephone or email for further information. All contacts will, of course, be treated in the strictest confidence. Alternatively, if you would prefer, please complete our enquiry form below.

Collaborative law

The collaborative law process enables both parties to resolve their issues and reach a settlement without going to court. Many couples are daunted by the prospect of what can be protracted, stressful and expensive court proceedings to settle their differences upon separation and divorce. For this reason, rising numbers are seeking non-confrontational routes to settlement.

Jones Myers family lawyers are prominent supporters of alternative dispute resolution – striving to resolve family disputes constructively wherever possible to try to avoid what can be costly, public and stressful litigation.

In the collaborative law process, each party appoints their own collaboratively trained lawyers at the outset. A series of meetings are held to identify, address and resolve outstanding issues before reaching an agreement. Accountants or independent financial advisors can also attend the sessions if required. Each party agrees to resolve their issues and reach a settlement without going to court, committing to work through family and financial difficulties together.

Clients using the collaborative law process say they gain control over their futures, benefiting from improved communication with their former partners and achieving quicker agreements on all family matters including arrangements for children.

Jones Myers’ collaboratively trained lawyers are committed and experienced in this approach. For more information on the collaborative family law process, please contact Richard Peaker or Norman Taylor by telephone or email. All contacts will, of course, be treated in the strictest confidence. Alternatively, if you would prefer, please complete our enquiry form below.

Arbitration

The arbitration process is a more recent method of resolving financial issues relating to divorcing couples. Arbitration differs from other alternative dispute resolution options as it is more aligned to the traditional litigation route but with significant advantages for the parties.

Jones Myers family lawyers are prominent supporters of alternative dispute resolution – striving to resolve family disputes constructively wherever possible to try to avoid costly, public and stressful litigation.

In arbitration, the parties select an arbitrator – an experienced family lawyer – and agree to be bound by the arbitrator’s decision, known as an Award. There are a number of hearings – arranged at your convenience and at comfortable venues of your choice, not a conventional court room – to establish the issues the arbitrator needs to determine on who should have what.

This provides the parties with more control over the process than in court proceedings and means the dispute can be concluded far more quickly than the court process would take.

Similar to a judge, an arbitrator collects relevant facts and evidence and bases their decision on this evidence – taking into account the views of both parties. The Award is final and binding on both parties and can be converted into a court order – without you having to go to court.

Our clients who have been down this route have benefitted from a speedier and less costly method of resolving their issues than going to court. Recently arbitration has been extended to cover disputes relating to child arrangements.

Jones Myers founder, Peter Jones, a former deputy judge for fifteen years, was one of the first qualified arbitrators (financial and property) in the UK.

Please contact Richard Peaker in Leeds, Nicki Mitchell in York, or Neil Dring in Harrogate for further information on the benefits of arbitration by telephone or email. All contacts will, of course, be treated in the strictest confidence. Alternatively, if you would prefer, please complete our enquiry form below.


The court process (litigation)

There are occasions when going to court is the only viable option and Jones Myers family lawyers are experienced in pursuing litigation in local and national Family Courts, High Courts, and in the Court of Appeal. In such cases when our clients require strong, tenacious support to pursue litigation, we adeptly guide them through this process.

Once the court application is made, a timetable is put in place which provides for the disclosure of assets and a first hearing to determine what additional information a court will need to make a decision at a final hearing. This will only take place if a financial settlement is not reached at a second hearing, known as a Financial Dispute Resolution hearing,

At a final hearing both parties will give evidence and a Judge will make a decision as to how the assets should be divided. Even if a court process has been set in motion, there is always a possibility of reaching an agreement at any stage before a final hearing is required.

Our team of experts will support, guide and advise you at every stage – working with barristers if required – to strive to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

Please contact Richard Peaker in Leeds, Nicki Mitchell in York, or Neil Dring in Harrogate for further information on the benefits of arbitration by telephone or email. All contacts will, of course, be treated in the strictest confidence. Alternatively, if you would prefer, please complete our enquiry form below.

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