Two in five UK adults (38.9%) would pay a premium for private financial dispute resolution if it meant receiving a faster service or shorter waiting time, new research suggests.
A survey of 1,000 UK adults, commissioned by law firm Mills & Reeve, found that a fifth (21%) of respondents would pay up to £250 more and a further 15% would be willing to pay up to £500 for a faster service to resolve family disputes privately.
The survey also showed that 42% respondents were already paying for one or more private services to resolve family law disputes outside of the traditional court system. However, the research also found that awareness of private family law options remains low, with just one in four (25%) respondents aware that these alternatives exist.
Katherine Kennedy, partner at Mills & Reeve, said: “One of the greatest advantages of private FDRs and ENEs is that families are no longer constrained by court availability. They can choose an experienced evaluator, agree a suitable timetable and dedicate time to resolving the issues that matter most, rather than waiting months for a court hearing date.”
Partner Matthew Heyworth added: “People are increasingly recognising the value of certainty, efficiency and timely decision making. Our research shows that many are prepared to invest in solutions that help them avoid lengthy delays and uncertainty, with people looking for greater control and reassurance when navigating important decisions.”
The survey also revealed support for greater choice in resolving legal disputes, with more than half (51%) agreeing that people should be allowed to pay privately for a faster resolution.
The research was conducted by Censuswide, across a sample of 1,000 Nationally Representative Consumers between 25th June and 29th June.
