0800 038 5828
0800 038 5828
Family pathways legal support for families
Family pathways provide a structured approach to resolving family law matters with clarity and care. At Beckett Solicitors, we support individuals and families across Maidstone, Rainham, Canterbury, Sittingbourne and Croydon, helping them understand their options and move forward with confidence through every stage of the process.
Guiding families forward
We help separating families reach fair, practical and binding financial arrangements in a calm, private setting — without the stress, cost, or confrontation of court. Family Pathways exists for families who are in conflict but don’t want to make things worse. When emotions are high and communication has broken down, court can feel like the only option – but court adds immense cost, delay, and emotional and psychological strain. Our approach provides a structured, neutral and binding process that helps families resolve financial disputes calmly and privately, with clear guidance, firm boundaries, and a focus on practical and binding outcomes that allow everyone to move forward.
You don’t have to agree to move forward — just to take a better route.
Family Pathways is suitable for all financial disputes, including families where trust is low and tensions are high, offering a clear, controlled alternative to court that keeps discussions focused, decisions balanced, and outcomes workable without inflaming conflict or handing control to a judge.
How it works in summary
Family Pathways combines the One Solicitor, One Couple model (Resolution Together) with the IFLA Family Law Arbitration Scheme to offer the best, cheapest, fastest and least stressful approach to resolving financial disputes.
1.We begin with a no-commitment meeting at which we explain the process carefully and openly so everyone understands how it works, what it can (and can’t) do, and whether it’s right for your situation. There is no pressure to commit, just a sensible first step to see if this approach feels workable.
2. If you decide to proceed, the first step is to commit to keeping your dispute out of court by signing the agreement to arbitrate with our expert family law arbitrator Nadia Beckett. This does not commit you to any costs or fees at this stage.
3. The next stage is legal advice and assistance. You agree to work together with one of our specialist family law experts, Kirsty Bloomfield. You will work through the expert process that is required by family law to help you negotiate and hopefully reach a financial agreement. This will include full and transparent financial disclosure and the valuation of properties. You will receive legal advice from Kirsty throughout the process. If you are able to reach an agreement, your agreement will be converted into a short award by Nadia, and this will make the agreement binding. This part of the process will cost you £6000 each (including VAT). It is a fixed fee payable in advance. There may also be additional fees payable to third parties for valuation reports or a pension on divorce expert report. Kirsty will discuss these with you where necessary.
4. If you are not able to reach an agreement, sue; your dispute will be passed to Nadia, who will act as your arbitrator to give you a final and binding decision on the issues that you have not agreed on. All the work that you have done with Kirsty will ensure that your dispute is prepared for the arbitration. The arbitration will either be conducted on paper or at a final arbitration hearing. Nadia will discuss and agree on the most suitable option with you. This part of the process will cost you £3500 each (including VAT) for a 1-day arbitration. If more than one day is required, Nadia will discuss and agree on the fee with you in advance. Nadia’s fee will also be a fixed fee payable in advance of the arbitration.
5. At the end of the process your award will be converted into a court order (if required by law), which will end your dispute, and for divorcing couples, it will end all the financial claims that you have against each other. We can prepare this for you for an additional fixed fee of £1500 (including VAT and the court fee).
One neutral professional, guiding the process
Family Pathways uses a single, impartial professional to guide both parties through discussions using the Resolution Together model. This means that you use one lawyer to advise you both. The "one solicitor, two clients" model, often referred to as "Resolution Together" or "one couple, one lawyer", is an innovative one. Our team's approach is where a single lawyer is jointly instructed by a separating or divorced couple to guide them through the legal process, finances, and child arrangements rather than each party hiring their own adversarial lawyers. This model is designed to facilitate an amicable, cost-effective, and transparent resolution, avoiding the high conflict and expense associated with traditional litigation.
This isn’t about taking sides or forcing agreement; it’s about keeping conversations focused, balanced, and productive, even where trust is low or emotions are running high. Clear structure and ground rules help prevent discussions drifting into blame, repetition, or stalemate.
IFLA Family Law Arbitration Scheme
This is a specialist dispute-resolution process for family law cases in England and Wales. It is run by the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators (IFLA) and offers separating couples a structured, private and legally recognised way to resolve disputes without going to court. Under the scheme, parties jointly appoint a qualified and accredited family law arbitrator, typically an experienced family law barrister or solicitor, to decide specific issues. Once appointed, the arbitrator acts as a private judge. The arbitrator considers written evidence and legal submissions from both parties and may hold a hearing if appropriate. The arbitrator then makes a binding decision, known as an award.
Key features and principles of neutral legal advice
Neutral advice: The lawyer acts as a neutral legal professional rather than advocating for one side. They provide legal information and advice to both parties jointly.
Transparency: Both parties receive the same advice at the same time in the same room, ensuring complete transparency and reducing misunderstandings.
Suitability screening: Before beginning, the solicitor will conduct individual interviews with each client to ensure there are no issues with coercive control, power imbalances, or safety concerns.
Common goals: The process is best suited for couples who are broadly in agreement, wish to avoid court, and are committed to resolving matters constructively.
Advantages
Cost-effective: By sharing a single lawyer, clients often save 40–60% on legal fees compared to traditional litigated cases.
Reduced conflict: The collaborative approach aims to keep the process amicable, which is particularly beneficial for preserving relationships for co-parenting.
Faster results: Eliminating the "to-ing and fro-ing" between two separate law firms speeds up the resolution process.
Empowerment: Clients retain control of their decisions rather than relying on a judge.
Speed and efficiency
Court proceedings can take many months—or longer—due to delays and listing pressures. Arbitration allows the parties to choose their own timetable, often resolving disputes far more quickly.
Choice of decision-maker
Instead of being allocated a judge on the day, parties can select an arbitrator with specific family law expertise relevant to their case, such as complex finances or pensions.
Privacy and confidentiality
Family arbitration is completely private. Hearings are not open to the public, and sensitive financial or personal information remains confidential.
Flexibility
The procedure is tailored to what the parties need. Some cases can be decided entirely on documents, while others may involve a short hearing—far more flexible than the court process.
Cost control
Although the arbitrator is paid privately, arbitration can reduce overall costs by avoiding repeated court hearings, delays, and unnecessary procedural steps.
Reduced conflict
Arbitration is generally more collaborative than litigation. It can reduce stress, preserve goodwill, and is particularly beneficial where ongoing co-parenting relationships are involved.
Finality and certainty
The arbitrator’s award brings clarity and resolution, allowing parties to move forward without the prolonged uncertainty of court proceedings.
Frequently asked questions
Speak to our family law team today
Call our team to discuss your family pathways matter with experienced solicitors.
Need Assistance? 0800 038 5828