NEXT week (25th to 29th November) you might see a lot in the press or in the media about “DR Week”. But what does it mean?

Resolution, the Family Solicitors and Lawyers’ Association, has established the 2nd DR (Dispute Resolution) Week to highlight that getting a divorce or separating does not need to be difficult, expensive or a long drawn out process. Resolution’s 6,500 members are family lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Their members follow a Code of Practice that promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems, and their members are encouraged to consider the needs of the whole family - and in particular the best interests of children.

There are now many ways of making decisions about where the children will live and how the money will be split following a divorce and if you choose carefully which process you use it should make the whole thing easier.

DR Week is designed to highlight some of the ways that are not as widely known as the “traditional” route of each of you having a solicitor, and using the courts to resolve your issues.

Family Mediation

One option is to use a mediator to help you make fair decisions together. This is a really good way to make decisions because it is you and your ex who come up with solutions that work for you and your circumstances and the reality is that every family is different so tailoring solutions to your needs is essential. A mediator can talk to you about the arrangements for the children or how to separate your assets, money or debts. If you are not eligible for legally aided family mediation, many solicitors and family mediators offer family mediation on a privately funded basis. Many couples find it a much cheaper process than each instructing solicitors and taking their chances through the courts.

Family Matters

This is a new scheme that is now available to parents at our Oxford office. It is part of a two-year pilot scheme being organised by Resolution in Oxfordshire, Crewe and Newcastle upon Tyne, funded by the Department of Works and Pensions. It is a free service to help separating or separated parents access the advice and support they need, in order to reach agreements together and to encourage a more amicable approach that puts the needs of their children first. The Family Matter Guides are all qualified lawyers and have a background in family law and mediation.

In order to qualify one of you must be receiving state benefit (which can include tax credits) OR be earning an income equivalent to, or less than the UK living wage which is currently £7.45 per hour.

Collaborative Lawyers

This is where you talk through the issues you need to solve with each of you having your own collaboratively trained solicitor or lawyer present with you at round table or face to face meetings. The idea behind this is that there will be less correspondence and more direct negotiation, but with the benefit of you each having access to legal advice there and then.

Family Arbitration

This is a relatively new development. Instead of asking the courts to decide what should happen in your dispute, if you’ve not been able to reach an agreement in one of the ways outlined above, you could ask a Family Arbitrator to decide the issue for you.