Good Divorce Week

On 10 November 2025, Good Divorce Week commenced. As a Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) specialist at SE-Solicitors, this feels particularly apt for me to reflect on what a ‘good divorce’ means to me as a family law practitioner. 

I began my week with a collaborative meeting alongside one of my collaborative colleagues in Oxfordshire. Tomorrow, I am mediating for a couple to assist them with the separation of their matrimonial finances and arrangements for their child. In addition, I have received several enquiries about our NCDR services. All of this suggests that the concept of a ‘good divorce’ is on the rise. and becoming an increasingly valued approach. 

What does a good divorce mean?

As family law practitioners, we assist our clients to resolve matters with as little conflict as possible, to help them have a ‘good divorce’. I am a member of Resolution; a community of family law practitioners committed to dealing with matters in a non-confrontational way when a relationship breaks down. The key elements of the resolution code of conduct encourage family law practitioners to: – 

• Avoid inflammatory language.
• Reduce or manage any conflict or confrontation.
• Support and encourage families to put the best interests of any children first.
• Act with honesty, integrity and objectivity.
• Help our clients to understand and manage the potential long term financial and emotional consequences and decisions.
• Listen to and treat everyone with respect and without judgement.
• Use our experience and knowledge to guide clients through the options available to them.
• Adhere to the Resolution good practice in day-to-day work. 

By appointing a solicitor that is committed to this way of working, more often than not it can save costs, time and the stress involved with an adversarial process, such as court, and can help the divorce to be as ‘good’ as it possibly can be in challenging circumstances. 

Why is NCDR important?

In April 2024 there was a change to the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) to promote early resolution of family disputes through non-court-based methods. Given the changes to the Family Procedure Rules, it is particularly important to consider NCDR as the court can adjourn proceedings to enable individuals to engage in NCDR. It is therefore important to carefully consider the NCDR options available and think, can I do this in a better way and have a ‘good’ divorce?

If you wish to discuss the NCDR options we offer at SE-Solicitors with our NCDR specialist, Monicka Rai, please contact Monicka Rai at mrai@se-solicitors.co.uk, or her assistant, Chloe Judge, at cjudge@se-solicitors.co.uk.