Family Arbitration

You and your solicitor and your spouse/partner and their solicitor decide how the case will work. You might agree to put the evidence and your position to the Arbitrator in writing or you might agree that you will all appear in front of the Arbitrator.

In financial cases the decision will almost always be turned into a court order. You can if you agree turn a child decision into a court order.

The essence of arbitration is that the parties agree in advance to be bound by the Arbitrator’s decision. The court will uphold the decision of the Arbitrator.

Yes, they will. However, the process and decision may come to the court’s attention if either party tries to renege on it.

Will it be quicker than going to court?

There are long delays in the court system currently. The Arbitration process will almost always be quicker.

It should be but this is not guaranteed.

The court process can cost between £5000 – £50,000+ depending on the issues and complexity of the case. Arbitration is often used for specific issues within a matter and sit inside or outside court process. Arbitration is therefore used on a bespoke basis rather than to decide the entire case so in essence should be viewed as a “bolt on” service. Costs in Arbitration should therefore be considered as part of the whole process. We can discuss the proportionality of this option should the need arise.