Family law arbitration offers a faster alternative to court

The family court is vital and irreplaceable. Its structure, boundaries and rules make for a fair process and predominantly fair outcomes. The skills of judges in cutting through multi-faceted issues mean that families leave with workable solutions. And people who are subject to a home-life of violence and harassment can get swift protection.

However, the court system is under strain – it was before the pandemic, let alone with the added delays and pressure brought upon the judiciary, court staff and court users by the national lockdowns.

Arbitration is an out of court solution which is growing in popularity as families look to get faster, cheaper, and often more constructive resolutions of their issues.

What is family law arbitration?

Dubbed recently in the press as ‘Bupa-style private hearings’, arbitrations offer people a more flexible process than the current court system could. Parties choose their arbitrator, from a list of experienced Family Law solicitors and barristers and sometimes retired judges.

They get to agree when and where the arbitration will take place. And the whole process, while not without formalities, is usually far more relaxed and comfortable than a typical judge-lead hearing.

It’s also confidential, with the hearing held in a private setting – something that appeals to couples that want to keep the details of their relationship and their breakup under wraps.

How does family law arbitration work?

Family law arbitration is a consensual process, so both parties have to freely agree to take part. They also have to agree to stick to the rules of arbitration and, in particular, to respect the arbitrator’s decision (the ‘award’).

If either party later refuses to be bound by the award, the other can apply to the court to have it enforced.

Once the arbitrator has been appointed and their fee and terms agreed, he or she will set out how the arbitration will work.

The process could involve some deadlines for submitting evidence, and perhaps a preliminary hearing before the final hearing if there is a particular issue that needs to be resolved in advance.

The arbitration hearing is similar to a court hearing, in that each party presents their case (usually with the help of their Family Law solicitors). However, arbitrations don’t have the same level of formality or rules that the courts do – something clients say makes for less stress all round.

In fact, some arbitrations can be decided on paper, meaning there is no hearing at all, and the arbitrator makes their decision based on written evidence and submissions from the parties’ legal representatives.

At the end of the arbitration, the arbitrator’s award is sent to the court to be approved, where it becomes a binding order.

How popular is family law arbitration?

During the pandemic, the availability of arbitrators, and their ability to proceed with hearings via video link, has meant that many of our clients have been able to avoid delays in their family issues being sorted out.

By opting to engage an arbitrator, they have sidestepped not just the lengthy wait times that come with a busy court system, but also the pressures and uncertainty that that system so often generates.

Some clients tell me that they benefited from having a single arbitrator involved in their case from start to finish, as opposed to court in which there is no guarantee (and, actually, very little likelihood) of having the same judge throughout.

As a team, we’re instructing arbitrators on private hearings (separation and divorce, child arrangements, etc) more and more often. It’s a trend that seems to be echoed around the country, as people realise the benefits of keeping their family matters out of court.

People are increasingly understanding that decisions reached at arbitration are as solid and reliable as those reached at court.

But while arbitration can be a great next step where parties have tried and failed to negotiate and/or mediate their dispute, it won’t suit everyone. One partner might refuse to take part, in which case it can’t go ahead. And some cases cannot be dealt with via arbitration.

It’s why arbitration should always be seen as an alternative to, and not a replacement for, court. But it is an alternative that, alongside other dispute resolution mechanisms, can be a positive experience with hugely successful outcomes for many.