Resolution Launches Family Law Manifesto – Part 1

On 23^rd February 2015 Resolution, formerly the Solicitors’ Family Law Association, launched a Manifesto for family law. The aim of the Manifesto is to put pressure on the Government to make changes in six areas of the family justice system.

Resolution was established as the Solicitors’ Family Law Association in 1982 by a group of like – minded family solicitors who wanted to get away from the confrontational and litigious approach to family disputes prevalent at the time.

It now boasts 6500 members and is effective as a campaigning organisation. Its aim is to highlight the issues affecting separating families and bring about improvements in the law and policy. The organisation runs high quality training courses for family lawyers and mediators and there are regional groups in each area. South Yorkshire Resolution is well established and hosts regular talks, training sessions and social events.

All Resolution members must adhere to the Code of Practice; the aim of which is to deal with cases in a constructive way, to reduce hostility, provide realistic and up to date costs information and place the best interest of any children at the centre of decision making. The full Code of Practice is at https://www.resolution.org.uk/editorial.asp?page_id=26

The family team at Taylor&Emmet are long standing members of Resolution and we wholeheartedly support the proposals set out in the Manifesto.

In the Manifesto, the key six areas of the family law system in need of change are:-

1. Protect vulnerable people going through separation
2. Introduce measures to keep divorce out of court
3. Introduce a parenting charter to help parents understand their responsibilities when they separate
4. Allow people to divorce without blame
5. Give people more financial clarity on divorce
6. Protect couples who live together

The main issue with the current divorce law is that it is contained in the 43 year old Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and many aspects of are out dated. For cohabiting couples, there is very little legal protection on separation which can leave one party in very difficult financial circumstances.

We will look at the Manifesto in more detail in the next blog.