Judges campaign to take divorce out of the courts

Britain's top family judges and lawyers have launched a campaign aimed at helping couples resolve their issues without going through the divorce courts.

The 'collaborative law' scheme requires separating couples to commit to resolving any issues arising from their marriage break-up through cooperation and negotiation, aiming to take the bitterness out of divorce.

And whereas out-of-court mediation takes place purely between couples going thorugh a marital separation, the new divorce scheme still sees a lawyer representing each party, and if the process fails, then both sides must change their lawyers.

Speaking in support of the scheme, leading family lawyer Jane Simpson said: "The requirement to change lawyers if a couple decides to litigate is a powerful tool to encourage both clients and their lawyers to remain at the negotiating table."

Recent figures have shown 60 per cent of couples going through divorce last year went to court, with proceedings often lasting for months, or even years.

However, Anne Robinson's recent high-profile divorce from husband John Penrose has been cited as a prime example of reaching an amicable end to a marriage, despite the rumoured £60 million fortune involved.

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