The introduction of no fault divorce in April 2022 has brought in a raft of changes to the way couples can legally end their marriage or civil partnership in England and Wales. One of the most significant changes is that couples can now apply for a divorce together in what is known as a ‘joint application'. Additionally, they can choose to be represented by the same solicitor, which is being referred to as ‘one couple, one solicitor’ or ‘joint representation’.
There are a wide range of benefits to having one solicitor act for both spouses, including making the process less hassle, keeping the costs down and reducing the likelihood of conflict. They can assist with both separating your finances and arrangements for children.
At Sharp Family Law, our expert divorce solicitors are able to provide joint representation for divorce, offering carefully tailored advice that helps to streamline the process and promote a collaborative approach to finalising the separation.
Taking a holistic approach to the circumstances surrounding the divorce, we can work to guide you and your partner through the general processes. This includes making a joint application and ensuring that you are equally represented and have all the support you need to achieve a swift and amicable separation.
Working within guidelines set out by leading family law association Resolution, we can act to make sure that you make all of the necessary arrangements that apply to your situation, including in relation to financial settlements and child care.
Sharp Family Law work in person and electronically, by email or by file sharing on various platforms. We offer conferences in person at our offices, by telephone, or by Skype for Business, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, FaceTime, or other video systems.
To arrange an initial meeting with one of our joint representation solicitors, whether that is in person or electronically, please give us a call or use our simple online enquiry form to request a call back.
Joint application versus joint representation
Given the similarity of these two terms, it would be easy to get confused. As explained above, a joint application is where a couple makes the divorce application together. They can then either choose to be represented by different solicitors for resolving issues around finances and children or use the same solicitor (joint representation).
What are the benefits of the one couple, one solicitor approach for divorce?
There are several key benefits to using joint representation for your divorce. These benefits include:
Less hassle
Having one solicitor support both you and your partner’s divorce application means that there is far less hassle, as the advice you will receive will be geared towards achieving a straightforward divorce with minimal fuss. You and your former partner will both be on the same terms and understand exactly what needs to be done to reach a resolution.
Lower cost
Instructing a divorce solicitor could prove costly for some individuals. So, the fact that you will be paying for one set of legal fees when using joint representation will come as a bonus for many couples.
Less chance of conflict
By working with the same solicitor, you can be sure that they will be looking for the best outcome for both parties and avoiding conflict wherever possible.
Suitable option for a large number of divorcing couples
Our divorce experts believe that the recent changes to divorce legislation mean that a large proportion of divorcing couples would be well suited to joint representation and would be willing to proceed with it.
Our divorce joint application services
Taking you through the process of divorce
The changes to divorce law brought into effect by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation act 2020 mean that it is now much easier for couples to divorce amicably and with fewer complications. That being said, there are still a number of steps which need to be properly considered and accounted for and which could prove difficult to navigate without the right legal advice.
Using the one couple, one solicitor approach, we can work with you and your former partner through the entire divorce process, starting with filing a joint divorce application through to applying for a Conditional Order and Final Order.
By taking you and your former partner through the divorce process simultaneously, you can be certain that you are both on the same page when it comes to the status of your divorce and that you are both equally aware of what actions you both need to take to make sure everything goes ahead as smoothly as possible.
We will also keep you updated on the relevant timescales that apply to your divorce so that you are both able to plan ahead accordingly and are able to avoid any unnecessary delays that would act to disrupt your divorce.
Making additional arrangements following divorce
While the introduction of no fault divorce and the various changes to divorce law have helped to simplify the process of getting a divorce in England and Wales, they have no bearing on the way finances are separated, nor do they influence arrangements for children.
As these can often prove to be sticking points for some couples, even those who have intentions of separating on positive terms.
This is where our divorce solicitors can act for both parties, ensuring that you both provide full financial disclosure and you set out exactly what issues matter the most to each of you. This means that you will be able to come to agreements which are well suited to your circumstances and promote a clean and fair separation.
Resolving disagreements or points of contention
Where disagreements and disputes arise during the course of separation, they can often prove difficult to resolve, especially if one partner is working with a divorce solicitor who lacks the necessary experience to find a collaborative solution.
Resolving points of contention amicable during divorce is incredibly important and something our expert divorce solicitors specialise in. So, where we jointly represent you and your former partner, we can make sure that you have the solutions you need to find efficient and cost-effective solutions to any issues you may be facing.
Why choose Sharp Family Law for joint representation for divorce?
Sharp Family Law is one of the largest dedicated family law firms in Bath and Bristol. Our divorce solicitors have a wealth of combined expertise and experience in a wide range of matters, including advising couples through amicable divorces. As such, we have developed a strong reputation for our constructive and highly personal approach to supporting each and every one of our clients.
No matter the circumstances, our team always focus on what you are looking to achieve, providing carefully tailored advice that ensures you achieve a positive outcome. As a firm, we do not adopt a ‘one-size fits all’ approach. Instead, we are dedicated to adjusting our advice so that it is best suited to your personal situation.
Regardless of what the circumstances might be, we always focus on exactly what outcome you are looking to achieve, providing carefully tailored advice that ensures you are able to reach a positive outcome.
Independent recognition for our family law expertise includes:
- Several members of Resolution– the professional network for family lawyers committed to taking a non-confrontational approach to family law
- Richard Sharp is a trained collaborative lawyer and family mediator in both the UK and the USA
To find out more about our family lawyers’ individual expertise and how we can help you with the one couple, one solicitor approach to divorce, please take a look at our team.
Speak to our joint representation solicitors in Bristol, Bath and Bradford on Avon
To arrange an initial meeting with one of our joint representation solicitors to discuss your situation and whether the one couple, one solicitor approach is right for you, please give us a call or use our simple enquiry form to request a call back.