The Law Society’s Family and Child Law Committee considered that a review of the Family Law Code of Practice was timely in circumstances where there has been a huge growth in the area of family law over the last number of years.
Clients now have options to issue court proceedings or they can choose forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) which provides a cooperative framework for resolving family conflicts as a constructive alternative to the likely higher costs, delays and adversarial win-lose nature of traditional courtroom litigation.
Whether by litigation or ADR, our concern is to assist practitioners in providing an excellent service to clients who by virtue of the fact that they have instructed a solicitor, are either contemplating, or are in the course of family law proceedings, and are having a most stressful life experience. These guidelines are designed to enhance the service provided to the client and to assist professionals in maintaining professionalism in this most difficult task.
