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A new Cheshire-based Family Law Support Service has been established by a former Family Law Solicitor who grew frustrated by the changes to the availability of Legal Aid in 2013 which meant that Legal Aid or Public Funding, as it is otherwise known, was stripped away from most family law matters including Divorce and Private Law Children Act matters (contact and residence disputes).
These changes have left a huge number of people without the benefit of Legal Aid in order to legally end unhappy marriages, protect assets or secure time with their children through appropriate Court Orders. As a result, many remain without access to their children or trapped in a marriage that they simply cannot afford the legal fees to get out of.
Family Law Friend has been established to bridge the gap between those who don’t want to instruct lawyers or can’t afford them but still require access to justice. Findings published by Aviva (18th August 2014) show that the average cost of a Divorce is £43,958 per couple. Many cannot afford this or simply do not want to hand over hard earned cash to expensive divorce lawyers.
Managing Director Naomi Pottinger (pictured), 34, practiced as Qualified Solicitor for 4 years before recognising a gap in the market following the changes to legal aid. She devolved skills obtained from time working in high street and city practices and has the skill base to assist anyone going it alone in dealing with family law issues to include prior to or following proceedings being issued.
Naomi said: "The lack Legal Aid is resulting in many pursuing the only viable option - to try to go it alone in what can be an all together confusing and daunting experience. This has led to a rise in the number of Litigants in Person before the Courts. The huge increase in Litigants in Person is placing the Family Court under incredible strain. Litigants in Person often struggle alone at Court without a solicitor and therefore require more Court time."
The changes in the availability of funding have led to some services being provided by individuals known as McKenzie Friends. McKenzie Friends may provide moral support for litigants; take notes; help with case papers and quietly give advice on any aspect of the conduct of the case.
Naomi continues:
"There are a number of McKenzie Friends offering this service however very few have any formal legal qualifications or experience in Family Law. Their lack of qualification often results in costly mistakes leaving the Litigant in Person with Costs Orders against them. Family Law Friend have a commitment to only employing McKenzie Friends who have previously practiced as solicitors therefore having a full understanding and knowledge of the law and proven ability to assist in drafting statements and other key Court documents. All for a fraction of the costs of a solicitor."
She concludes:
"We also work alongside Mediators, Accountants, Mortgage Advisors, relationship counsellors and support groups in order to make the breakdown of a relationship and access to children simpler and less litigious. Often when solicitors become involved, an amicable relationship can quickly become acrimonious. Our service is no substitute for proper legal advice on technical areas of family law. We are however skilled to recognise this and can point clients in the direction of a suitably qualified solicitor should the need arise."
Family Law Friend is a professional family law support service to help and assist unrepresented parties known as litigants in person through the Court system and prior to proceedings being issued. For more information visit their website here: www.familylawfriend.co.uk
