National practice Harrison Clark Rickerbys has become the latest in a growing line of firms to adopt a ‘one couple, one lawyer’ approach to divorce.

The firm, which has 10 offices across the country, announced today a ‘unified in separation’ service that will allow a couple’s divorce to be handled by a single lawyer.

James Grigg, partner and head of family law at HCR, said: ‘We understand the emotional pressures and complexities of divorce. That’s why we’re delighted to launch this ground-breaking service to help couples to achieve their shared objectives, without the conflict and costs of going to court.

‘Couples using "US" will receive advice on a joint beneficial basis to reach an agreement on one or all aspects of their separation. It is only suitable where there is no imbalance of power and where both parties are in the right frame of mind. Our team of expert family lawyers will carry out a full assessment to ensure interests are aligned.’

Reforms introduced by the government last year to make the divorce process less acrimonious enable separating couples to make a joint application. 

The ‘one lawyer, two clients’ model has already been adopted by the likes of Mills & Reeve, Withers, Simpson Millar and O’Sullivan Family Law.  

HCR’s model is based on the framework launched by family law group Resolution, which liaised with the Solicitors Regulation Authority to ensure the model operates within the current regulations. Solicitors cannot act if there is an own-interest conflict or a significant risk of one. The rules prevent solicitors from acting for both sides in a litigation or dispute, but acting for both parties is allowed where there is no significant risk of a conflict arising.

According to government statistics, 22% of the 89,123 divorce applications made between April and December last year were from joint applicants.

 

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