Family Law Solicitors UK.

Family Solicitors

Family law doesn't necessarily directly relate to just families, Family law encompasses all areas of law relating to relationships. Same sex partners, cohabitants can either be same sex or opposite sex and of course married couples.
Whilst family law deals with all matters relating to both the beginning and end of a relationship including marriage and divorce, it does not deal with broader issues such as elderly relatives or making of wills.

Family lawyers or family solicitors offer practical legal advice on the rights of cohabitants and what they should know before beginning to live together.

Family solicitors also deal with the law relating to relationship breakdown, divorce and financial issues such as capital and income settlements, and cases relating to private children law. Family lawyers will also offer help to those suffering domestic violence.
Publicly funded legal services - Free Legal Aid.

Can't afford a solicitor? If you need financial help with legal fees, you may be entitled to help via publicly funded legal services through Legal Services Commission (LSC). They look after legal aid in England and Wales and help people who are eligible for legal aid to protect their rights.

Whether it is relationship breakdown, domestic violence, problems with debt or housing, and benefits. Education, employment law, community care, mental health and indeed asylum and immigration.

If you are a Jersey resident, check your entitlement. It may be that if you need legal representation in the UK, you could be treated as 'Applicant from Abroad'. If you contact a UK solicitor, they will provide the necessary paperwork.
The Legal Services Commission is also tasked with ensuring that people get the right advice and legal help. They fund a wide network of Quality Marked Solicitors and advice providers such as the CAB - Citizens Advice Bureau

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SFLA solicitors believe in using an approach which is sensitive, constructive, cost effective and most likely to result in an agreement. To achieve this, SFLA members follow a Code of Practice.

The Association was created in 1982 when there was widespread concern that solicitors and court procedures were adding to the stress and anger that can arise when family relationships break down. Members of the SFLA believe that solicitors should deal with matters in a way designed to preserve people's dignity and encourage them to reach agreement. The result will often be to achieve the same or more satisfactory solutions than going to court but at less cost – in terms of emotion and money.

Most importantly, this approach is more likely to encourage family members to deal with each other in a civilised way, for example it helps parents to put their own differences aside and to agree arrangements that are best for their children. Experience shows that agreed solutions are more likely to work in the long term than arrangements imposed by a court. Even when proceedings are necessary it is best for the whole family if the proceedings are conducted in a constructive and realistic way rather than as if in the midst of a war zone.

Keeping to the Code is not a sign of weakness. It does not expose the client to disadvantage. The approach the solicitor adopts should be firm and fair. Solicitors are not prevented from taking immediate and decisive action where necessary. Even when there are ongoing discussions, court proceedings may be started and continue at the same time in case negotiations do not produce an agreement. The Code is not a straightjacket.

Most SFLA solicitors would expect less than 15% of their cases to go to a final hearing. Regard must always be had to the possibility that matters will end up in court in a potentially very contested hearing and regard must always be had to letters that the solicitor has written throughout the course of the case itself. For example acrimonious correspondence may be used as "evidence" of the aggression of the party whose solicitor has written the letter. It is within the SFLA Code of Practice that solicitors need to be careful when writing letters on behalf of their clients to not inadvertently give such "ammunition", to the other side.

The adverse impact of correspondence on a case was seen in a case decided by the courts. In the case of F v. F (1996), Judge Holman condemned the first letter written on behalf of the husband which, he said, upset the tone for all that followed in a very adversarial case. Canter Levin & Berg Solicitors

Askews Solicitors specialise in family law, employment law, personal injury, litigation, property law, wills, trusts and probate and have been meeting the legal needs of Teesside and the North East of England for over 70 years. If you need high quality, friendly and cost-effective legal advice, then you’ve come to the right place.

For personal injury cases we can usually act for you on a 'no win no fee' basis, you’ll pay us nothing regardless of whether you win or lose the case. Unlike many firms, we absolutely guarantee that there are no hidden charges, so the compensation you are awarded you keep.

For some areas of the law we can advise you as to your eligibility for legal aid to fund your case.

For other cases we will be open and upfront about how much things are likely to cost. We'll give you an initial estimate of costs and will tell you straight away if anything happens to change this estimate. We will always check with you before taking any action that could significantly affect the amount you may need to pay. Askews Solicitors

Family Law - Divorce

Looking for an alternative solution...... Collaborative Law could be the answer

Marriage breakdown is, inevitably, a difficult and distressing time. Our experienced family law team brings sensitivity and clarity to your situation.

The primary focus of the team is on the financial consequences of divorce or separation. We have particular experience in representing wealthy clients and those whose financial affairs are complex; this includes the identification of assets that are thought to be concealed, working (if necessary) with forensic accountants.

We use our sister organisation Cripps Portfolio Limited to provide you with an integrated legal and financial service, particularly in the field of pensions or where there is pension splitting in accordance with the recent legislation.

Family Law - Pre-nuptial Agreements

Pre-nuptial agreements aim to set out how a couple's assets will be divided if marriage fails. Although they are not strictly enforceable in England, they may well have a significant influence on the outcome of a divorce settlement.

We can offer advice on the drafting agreements taking into account any future changes in their legal status and the enforceability of such agreements.

Family Law - Cohabitation

Many people choose to live together with little thought to the what might happen if the relationship breaks down. This is often supported by the misunderstanding that, after a couple of years, they acquire the status of "common law husband/wife". No such status exists.

We can offer advice on cohabitation agreements that make any future breakdown in a relationship a little easier to resolve.

Family Law - Issues Involving Children

Issues involving children are often highly emotive. Our expert family team provides pragmatic and constructive advice. We take the time to understand your specific requirements before suggesting practical solutions and will find the best method of dispute resolution for you, whether mediation, negotiation or court proceedings. Cripps Harries Hall Solicitors