The Family Department were interested to hear about legal research which has recently been undertaken. Key findings were:
- Around half of people experiencing relationship breakdown and domestic violence problems report a lack of knowledge with respect to their legal rights.
- Over 60% of people do not know any basic legal processes for example which Courts to use or how the Courts work, when dealing with relationship breakdown.
- In the context of divorce 40% of people surveyed said they had no knowledge of their rights and processes.
- Around 18% of people experiencing family disputes handle their problems alone. The research established, perhaps not surprisingly, that for those who handle their problems without taking advice, there was a significant risk of failing to meet their objectives and in some cases suffered adverse outcomes such as stress-related ill health, loss of earnings or violence directed at them.
At Neves a large part of the work which the Family Department undertakes is designed to enable clients to understand the legal processes and to assess what their objectives should, realistically, be. Over the years, Neves Family Department have been aware there is an observable pattern to much of the work which we undertake. We often see people who need some initial advice. Having taken that advice we may not see that person again for twelve months or more. Subsequently the client will return for further advice having used the initial advice to attempt to improve their relationship and, if that has been unsuccessful, to proceed with some confidence to address their separation.
The research can be seen at www.plenet.org.uk (the Public Legal Education Network) and was reported by Resolution which is an organisation of about 5500 solicitors of which Mary McEvoy and Beth Woodward are members. Resolution members are committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes and members follow a Code of Practice which promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems. Members encourage solutions which consider the needs of the whole family and in particular the best interests of the children.
For more information about the Family department please visit the Family Law section of our website.
