Stewarts introduces arbitration-first approach to children disputes, Gazette reports
Stewarts introduced a Children’s Arbitration Protocol making arbitration its default approach to suitable disputes between parents, the Law Society Gazette reported. The firm said it would consider arbitration at the outset, while preserving a role for courts where safeguarding concerns or other exceptional circumstances applied.
Announcement (Law Society Gazette) →
Key points
- The Gazette identified Alex Verdan KC as Stewarts’ partner and head of children law.Law Society Gazette
- Stewarts reported a five-fold increase in its divorce arbitrations.Law Society Gazette
- The firm said arbitration remained less common in children cases than in financial family disputes.Law Society Gazette
- The report described privately held hearings before an independent specialist chosen by the client.Law Society Gazette