Divorce Arbitration Solicitors

The firm has an excellent reputation and a very high level of professionalism.

Chambers & Partners, 2023

If you want to settle your divorce out of court, arbitration can be a quicker, cheaper and more private option. Our expert divorce lawyers have years of experience acting for people going through the arbitration process.

Arbitration is a voluntary process which involves you and your ex-partner agreeing that a neutral third party (an arbitrator) will decide on your divorce settlement. The arbitrator then considers the case in the same way as a judge in court and makes a decision, which is then legally binding.

Arbitration has a number of advantages over the court process, including:

Speed – arbitrated cases can be resolved within six months, compared to the court process which typically could take between nine months and two years
Cost – it is often cheaper, particularly in complex cases where there is significant wealth to be divided
Flexibility – arbitration can work around your lifestyle, with hearings at a time that are suitable for you
Privacy – the details of arbitration are private. This makes the process particularly appealing to people who are in the public eye.

However, arbitration is unlikely to be appropriate if you or your ex-partner are not honest about your financial circumstances.

We can provide you with the advice and support you need to make the right decisions about your separation. Our lawyers pride themselves on their no-nonsense approach, ensuring you understand every step in the arbitration process and that we get you the best possible result.

We are highly-ranked by the independent legal guides Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500, and are widely considered to be one of the UK’s leading family law firms.

If you want to discuss your divorce options with one of our experts, please call 0370 1500 100 or contact us online and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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Ros Bever National Head of Family Law Meet the team

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Arbitration - More Information

"Ros Bever is an excellent lawyer who is passionate about getting things right."

Chambers & Partners, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Arbitration?

Arbitration is a voluntary method of settling your divorce out of court. You and your ex-partner agree that a neutral third party (an arbitrator) will hear your case and provide you with a legally binding settlement. Arbitrators are experienced family lawyers who often have judicial experience. They act in a similar way to the judge in a court case, carefully considering the case and coming to a conclusion based on your circumstances.

The benefits of arbitration, compared to going through the court process, are:

It’s usually much quicker. The court process can often take over nine months and sometimes up to two years. Arbitration can be resolved within six months
It’s more private, which can suit couples looking to avoid publicity
It’s often cheaper, particularly in cases where there are significant assets
It’s more flexible - you and your former partner can choose when and how your case is dealt with and precisely which issues the arbitrator will decide upon
You and your ex-partner can engage in arbitration by correspondence without having to be physically present, meaning you may not have to see or speak to each other.

However, divorce arbitration isn’t for everyone. As it’s a voluntary process – if your former partner does not agree to it, you cannot force the option on them. Arbitration also only works if both parties are prepared to be open and honest about their financial circumstances and needs.

If an award is made in arbitration, the court will only make a different order in exceptional circumstances – it is very unusual for the court to go against an arbitrator’s decision.

As one of the country's leading family law teams, we can help you find an arbitrator who’ll help you and your ex-partner reach a settlement. For more information on arbitration and how we can help, call us today on 0370 1500 100 or contact us online and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Who is Arbitration Suitable For?

It is worth considering arbitration if you and your former partner want to:

Keep the details of your divorce out of the public eye
Are willing to be honest about your financial circumstances and needs
Reach an out of court financial settlement more quickly than a court can hear you case
Have flexibility about when your case is heard
Have an option that doesn’t require you both to be in court at the same time (arbitration can be carried out through correspondence).

Arbitration may not be suitable for you if you need to obtain evidence from reluctant third parties, such as trustees. In such cases only a court can require a witness to provide information.

Our team of family law solicitors can help find you a suitable arbitrator to make decisions for you and your ex-partner. We understand the stress that separation can bring – and the importance of trusting your solicitor and arbitrator. We have decades of experience dealing with complex divorces, and will support you through every step of the process.

To find out more about how we could help you, call us today on 0370 1500 100 or contact us online and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

How Long Does Divorce Arbitration Take?

Typically, arbitration cases are resolved within six months. This is much quicker than court, where complex cases can take up to two years.

Arbitration is quicker because you set the date for your case to be heard – you don't have to wait for multiple court dates. It is also possible for arbitration to be conducted through correspondence, making it a better option if you travel a lot or have a busy schedule.

It’s important to note, however, that all divorce cases are different – the particular circumstances of your case will affect how long it takes.

That is why it is important to have an experienced legal team to support you - give us a call on 0370 1500 100 or contact us online and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

I live in Scotland, can Irwin Mitchell help me?

Our expert family law team works with a number of trusted partners to help our clients with family law issues in Scotland.

We’ll be your point of contact and manage the entire process for you throughout. You’ll get frequent progress updates and we’ll break down any legal jargon into plain English so you’re always in the loop.

To find out more about how we can help, give us a call on 0370 1500 100 or contact us online.

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A Quality Service

The team's breadth of family knowledge and expertise is matched by the resources to deliver a quality service in a timely manner"

A High Level Of Service

They consistently endeavour to offer a high level of service to their clients"

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