The family team at Stephens Scown are members of Resolution, the national body of family lawyers committed to resolving family law disputes on relationship breakdown constructively and with a focus on the needs of the whole family.
What is a “Good Divorce”?
“Good Divorce Week” is promoted by Resolution every year in an attempt to raise awareness of the importance of having a good divorce. This means different things to different people, but common themes include minimising conflict, keeping legal costs to a minimum, and maintaining a good relationship moving forward, particularly where children are involved.
Good Divorce Week 2025
This year “Good Divorce Week 2025” focuses on Resolution’s Code of Practice, which all member solicitors subscribe to and apply wherever possible in our day to day work. As Resolution family lawyers we will:
- Listen to you, be honest with you and treat you with respect.
- Explain all the options and give you confidence to make the right decisions.
- Help you focus on what’s important in the long-term.
- Help you balance financial and emotional costs with what you want to achieve.
- Work with others to find the right approach and the best solutions for you.
- Manage stress in what can be an already stressful situation.
Divorce doesn’t have to mean conflict: what options are there to keep matters out of court?
Reducing conflict for our clients includes avoiding a lengthy and adversarial court process where possible and where appropriate. Family courts across the country are at breaking point and as such it is vital to consider the plethora of out of court options for resolving family disputes (also referred to as Non Court Dispute Resolution).
These NCDR options include negotiation via solicitors, mediation (or solicitor supported mediation), arbitration, collaborative family law, private court hearings (PFDRs) and early neutral evaluation, as well as the Resolution Together: One Couple, One Lawyer model, whereby in certain circumstances one lawyer can advise a couple. Further information about the various options can be found here and are worth considering at the outset of your matter.
If you would like to discuss how a good divorce might be possible and options for resolving issues in respect of finances and/or children following relationship breakdown, please do get in touch.
Lizzie Smith is the current Chair of Somerset Resolution and a committee member for Bristol Resolution.