Divorce doesn’t have to mean taking sides. For couples who want to separate amicably and find a fair way forward, Resolution Together offers a different approach. Instead of each person instructing their own solicitor, you work together with one specially trained family lawyer who provides legal advice to you both.

Sometimes described as ‘one couple, one lawyer’, the aim is simple: to reduce conflict, keep costs under control and help you make informed decisions about your finances, property and children.

How does Resolution Together work?

Traditionally, separating couples each appoint their own solicitor. Those solicitors then communicate and negotiate on their clients’ behalf.

With Resolution Together, you jointly instruct one impartial solicitor. They don’t take either person’s side. Instead, they help you understand the law, what a court is likely to consider fair and the options available to you as a family.

The process usually starts with individual meetings so your solicitor can understand your circumstances and make sure Resolution Together is appropriate for you both.

You’ll then have joint meetings to work through the things that need to be agreed. This might include:

• what happens to the family home
• savings, debts and other assets
• pensions
• arrangements for your children
• any other financial or practical issues arising from your separation.

You’ll both need to be open about your finances and provide the relevant information. If specialist advice is needed, perhaps about a pension, property or business, your solicitor can help you bring in the right expertise.

The aim isn’t for the solicitor to make decisions for you. It’s to give you both the legal advice and information you need to reach your own fair and workable agreement.

Once you’ve done that, your solicitor can prepare the necessary legal documents, including a financial consent order where appropriate, and submit them to the court for approval.

Why choose Resolution Together?

Resolution Together can offer a number of significant advantages for separating couples:

It can reduce conflict

You receive the same legal guidance and work through issues together, rather than starting from opposing positions. That can make conversations feel much more constructive.

It can keep legal costs down

Because you are sharing one solicitor, there is less duplication and none of the ongoing solicitor-to-solicitor correspondence associated with a more traditional divorce.

It can be quicker

You can work through issues together and at a pace that suits you, rather than becoming caught up in lengthy correspondence or court proceedings.

You both receive legal advice

This is an important difference between Resolution Together and mediation. A mediator is neutral and helps you reach an agreement but cannot usually advise either of you about what you should do. With Resolution Together, your solicitor can advise you both on the law and the range of outcomes a court may consider fair.

It can make life after divorce easier

If you have children, your relationship as parents continues long after your marriage ends. Finding a way to separate without unnecessary conflict can help lay better foundations for future co-parenting.

You stay in control

Rather than asking a court to decide what happens, you have the opportunity to find practical solutions that work for your particular family.

Who is Resolution Together suitable for?

Resolution Together won’t be right for every couple. It works best where both people genuinely want to reach a fair agreement, are comfortable discussing matters openly and are prepared to be completely transparent about their finances.

There also needs to be a reasonably balanced relationship between you, so that both people feel able to speak freely and make their own decisions.

It is unlikely to be appropriate where there has been domestic abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour, significant conflict or a serious imbalance of power. In those circumstances, having separate legal representation may be a safer and more appropriate option. Your solicitor will assess this carefully before the joint process begins.

If circumstances change or Resolution Together stops being suitable, the solicitor must stop acting for you both. You can then each take independent legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

We’ve already agreed in principle – do we still need this?
Possibly. Many couples agree the broad outline of how they want to separate but still need to check that the agreement is fair and understand what the court will need before approving it. Resolution Together can help you check the details, make sure nothing important has been missed and put the necessary legal paperwork in place.

What if we don’t agree on everything?
That’s quite normal. Your solicitor can help you work through the areas where you disagree, look at the options and find solutions that could work for you both. If you reach a point where you can’t agree, or the process is no longer suitable, you may need to consider another approach, such as mediation, collaborative law or having separate solicitors.

Is what we agree legally binding?
Not automatically. For financial matters, most couples will need a consent order approved by the court to make their agreement legally binding and help prevent future financial claims. Your Resolution Together solicitor can prepare this once you have reached an agreement.

Does Resolution Together replace the divorce application itself?
No. Resolution Together helps you deal with the practical issues that come with separation, such as finances, property and arrangements for your children. You will still need to go through the divorce process itself, which can be done jointly where appropriate.

Is the process confidential?
Yes. Your meetings and discussions are private. However, Resolution Together relies on openness between you so relevant information, particularly about your finances, will need to be shared with each other.

What if we have complex finances, pensions or a business?
Resolution Together can still be suitable. You may simply need additional specialist advice, such as a property or business valuation or a pension report, before making decisions. Your solicitor can help identify what is needed and bring in the right experts.

Could Resolution Together work for you?

For couples who are able to work together, Resolution Together offers a modern, practical route: one lawyer, shared information and a focus on finding a fair solution for both of you.

It can mean less conflict, lower legal costs and a more positive foundation for life after divorce.

At Berwins, specialist family solicitors Danielle Day and William Kaye are trained in the Resolution Together process. They can talk you through how it works, whether it is suitable for your circumstances and what the next steps would be.

Please note: This article provides general information and should not be treated as legal advice. Every family’s circumstances are different. Where there are concerns about domestic abuse, coercive control or safety, independent legal advice should be sought.