Laceys Solicitors Laceys is a leading, forward-thinking law firm with specialist experts serving both individual and business clients across a broad spectrum of practice areas.

Navigation
If Social Services have notified you about legal proceedings concerning your child please call 01202 377995.

News

Back

unhappy couple splitting up

Divorce law change – ‘No fault divorce’ reform

15th April 2019 by Jonathan Talbot

Categories: What's New?
Tags:

Laceys Solicitors are proud members of Resolution, a group of over 6,000 family lawyers who promote sensitive, cost-effective solutions to family breakdown which take into account the needs of the whole family – and in particular the best interests of the children.  Resolution has tirelessly campaigned for years for the Governments proposed ‘no fault divorce’ law, removing the current ‘blame game and mudslinging’ of parents during divorce, which is due to be introduced within 3 months.

Former High Court Judge Sir Paul Coleridge sums up what is wrong with the fault based system; “The current law does not prevent people from getting divorced; it just keeps them in marriages they do not want to be in.”

‘No fault divorce’ should put an end to this. Unfortunately for the well published case involving Tini Owens, this has come a year too late. Last July Tini was denied a divorce after several years of separation because the judges did not consider that her husband’s behaviour was serious enough to justify her divorce. The ruling meant that under existing law she must wait until 2020 for the marriage to end on the ground that they will have been separated for five years.

The ‘No fault divorce’ should lessen the impact relationship breakdowns have on children. Conflict in divorce can have a detrimental effect on children who are often caught up in the acrimony of their parents relationship. This can present through various ways, their academic work may suffer or they may struggle with social interactions and forming healthy relationships later in life.  The vast majority of children would prefer their parents to separate than they endure an unhappy family home in their childhood.

Contrary to what many believe, family lawyers do not want their clients to have to play the ‘blame game’ and would prefer alternative dispute resolution procedures to be used that allow couples to develop positive relationships to deal with issues in a more mature and reflective manner, ultimately providing better long term solutions for childcare and financial arrangements.

At Laceys we are proud to offer our clients a full range of services, from mediation through to other dispute resolution options, allowing them to decide how this emotionally challenging time in their life is handled.

We offer:

  • Family Mediation – a process which enables you both the opportunity to work together and explore your options regarding the children and/or finances in a neutral and controlled setting with one of our experienced lawyer mediators. Mediation allows you to make the decisions about your future in a cost-effective and timely manner, rather than taking the risk of lengthy and expensive court proceedings where the outcome is beyond your control.
  • Legal Advice and Representation in Court – our experienced family lawyers can offer you individual advice and represent you in all manner of family proceedings, as well as represent your interests in negotiations with your ex-partner or their solicitor.
  • Collaborative Law – a process where you both instruct a solicitor but with a commitment to all working together towards an agreeable solution and commit to not making a court application.
  • Funding – Our charges are competitive and funding options are varied – our team are happy to discuss these with you on a case by case basis. Legal Aid is available for mediation cases where at least one of you has a low income and this funding can benefit you both.  Legal aid may also available for legal advice and representation if your situation involves domestic abuse or child protection issues.

For any family matter, please contact us in confidence for family on 01202 755980 or mediation on 01202 721822.

Jonathan Talbot

Partner — Family

Direct dial: 01202 377844

Email

Jonathan Talbot
  • “Jonathan has been amazing at helping me get a resolution with my ex-husband. He was a great listener when I was getting very upset about clauses in our old divorce agreement that were not being adhered to and reacted really quickly with a letter and support. I would not hesitate to ask Jonathan for help again but please excuse me if I hope that doesn’t happen for a while as we all know dealing with ex's is never much fun! Thank you Jonathan.”

    Sharron Davies, MBE

  • “Very happy with how you dealt with my case. Many thanks for your help and advice from Mr Talbot and his secretary.”

    Jan Saad

  • “Jonathan Talbot explained the process and how things would proceed. He was very patient allowing us time to understand and adapt to our new situation. Legal language can be quite difficult to understand and he would explain what it meant and how it would impact.”

    Rae Frederick

  • “I always use Laceys for my legal work, I feel able to talk to them and I know they listen. They have always been professional and kind.”

    Dawn Aston

  • “I’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to you and Shannon for helping me through this difficult time, I am really very appreciative to have had you on my team this year, you’ve been an enormous support. ”

    Mrs W

Jonathan heads up Laceys family department and having qualified as a Solicitor in 1983, he has over 35 years experience in Family Law.

He specialises in Family and Relationship Breakdowns, Financial Remedies, Collaborative Law and International Family Law.

Jonathan has a exceptional caring nature and will always strive to find solutions to family issues outside of the court if at all possible.

Outside of work Jonathan likes to keep himself busy by competing in Ironman 70.3’s when he gets the chance – which are no easy feat at having to complete a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and then a 13.1 mile run each race!

Related articles

Can I get a divorce in England or Wales?

You may have read in the news of many wealthy international divorces occurring in England, such as...

Read Article

Can I amend our divorce settlement due to a chronic health condition?

During a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership, there are a number of factors that must...

Read Article

Close X