Separating without having to go to Court

Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow’s split some years ago gave rise to the term ‘consciously uncoupling’, and whilst at the time it was mocked by many, today it is a route that many couples aim to go down.

Some relationships inevitably break down, but just because you no longer wish to be with your partner doesn’t mean you need to have an acrimonious battle in court. Divorces are often perceived as aggressive and expensive, however at Ness Gallagher we try to ensure that in the first instance any conflict is handled as harmoniously and efficiently as possible. 

There are various forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) that can allow couples to divorce whilst avoiding going to Court. Louise Gillies, who heads up our Family Law team, is an Accredited Mediator in Family Mediation and is also a member of CALM Scotland (Comprehensive Accredited Lawyer Mediators) and often uses mediation to help resolve matters between separating couples. Mediation is a way of sorting any differences between you and your ex-partner with the help of a third person (a mediator) who won’t take sides. It can provide a framework for parties to resolve their differences constructively rather than in a confrontational manner, and can help you reach an agreement about issues concerning money, property or children, without having to fight it out in Court. 

Mediation is a very flexible dispute resolution process and can help you achieve a peaceful and constructive resolution to difficult family situations. Louise works with numerous clients to help them identify and resolve the issues between them in a calm, constructive and understanding manner, allowing them to move forward quickly and cost effectively. Whatever your situation, our knowledge and experience in the field of family law will ensure you are in good hands and that you understand all the possible routes to separating.