D&A Solicitors

  Family court proceedings, often fraught with emotion and complexity, are undergoing a significant transformation with the expansion of the Pathfinder pilot scheme . This initiative, designed to expedite cases, reduce conflict, and prioritise the well-being of children, is gaining traction across the UK, offering a beacon of hope for families navigating the challenging terrain of separation and divorce. This blog post delves into the details of the Pathfinder pilot, exploring its origins, key features, and potential impact on the family justice system.  This post is a summary of a longer recent BBC article " Family court pilot to support abuse victims expanded " A Response to Systemic Challenges The Pathfinder pilot emerged from a 2020 review of the family justice system, which revealed critical shortcomings in the existing processes. The review found that traditional court procedures often exacerbated conflict between parents, retraumatizing victims of domestic abuse and...

  Divorce is rarely straightforward, but recent issues surrounding pension valuations are adding unnecessary complexity and distress for many couples, particularly those involving teachers and other public sector workers. This blog post delves into the ongoing problems highlighted by recent BBC coverage [ I can't get divorced as I can't get my pension valued ], exploring the reasons behind the delays, the impact on individuals navigating divorce proceedings, and potential solutions to alleviate this growing problem. The Pension Valuation Bottleneck A critical step in many divorce settlements involves determining the value of each spouse's pension. This often requires a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV), which represents the current value of the pension benefits if they were to be transferred. This figure is essential for courts to divide assets fairly and ensure a clean break between the parties. However, obtaining a CETV has become a significant bottleneck for many, w...