Family disputes – are court proceedings always the answer?

The Oprah Winfrey interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has been highly reported in the media this week. Meghan and Harry speaking out about family issues has divided people’s opinions on whether this is an appropriate way to deal with difficulties that may arise within a family.

Family fall-outs are difficult, personal and often fraught with emotions. At BCR Law we deal with a wide range of family disputes including: divorce, dissolution of civil partnerships, separation, relationship breakdowns, financial settlements and issues around the residence of, contact with and parental responsibility of your children.

To Tweet or not to Tweet

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, social media is being used more than ever as a way for people to keep in touch, but is it an appropriate forum for posting disparaging comments about an ex-partner?

In the matter of YY, a recent judgment published by the Royal Court, the Court ordered a father to pay a fine of £100 for posting vicious comments and inappropriate information about his child on Facebook. There were undertakings in place given by both the mother and father to regulate the use of social media. This recent judgment shows that the Court does not condone any inappropriate posts or comments on social media and that sometimes a custodial sentence may be considered by the Court.

The clear message here – Think before you post. You never know what repercussions may come of any comments that you make online and how these could impact any children involved.

Alternative ways to solve a dispute

A common misconception is that disputes can only be resolved in Court. There are lots of cases where issues are resolved, sometimes very quickly, all without involving the Court.

Having to go to Court can be extremely difficult, not to mention costly, for everyone involved, so wherever possible we will always consider other ways to resolve matters. These can include;

• Mediation
• Discussions
• Round table meetings
• Negotiation

Highly contested court proceedings can cause immense upset and create hostility between parties. Sometimes Court may be the only option but we will always consider whether there are any alternatives first. Any of these options can take place virtually which often makes it more accessible and convenient for people.

At BCR law, we understand that family disputes can be very emotional and should be dealt with sensitively and compassionately. We will do everything that we can to settle things in the most amicable and conciliatory way.

Please get in contact with us, should you feel that we can help you resolve any issues you may have.

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