• March 28, 2024
 Pilot Scheme Launched For Affordable Advice

An online pilot scheme has been launched that will help separating couples by providing affordable advice at crucial points in the separating process.

Pilot Scheme Launched For Affordable Advice

An online pilot scheme has been launched that will help separating couples by providing affordable advice at crucial points in the separating process.

Blending an online guide from Law for Life’s Advicenow website as well as offline advice from a panel of Resolution family lawyers, the ‘Affordable Advice’ will deliver affordable fixed fee, price transparency and unbundled legal advice.

The online advice scheme aims to encourage early intervention and obstacles that may have discouraged couples from seeking legal advice.

The scheme will begin by providing advice from the Advicenow website, including guides on child arrangements, finances and financial orders, but then point clients to legal advice at crucial points in the process. The legal advice will come from a panel of Resolution members and delivered by phone, video conference or in person, all seeking to be more affordable.

Prices will be fixed and unbundled, allowing the client to stay in control of the cost, choosing what they can afford and when they feel they need advice.

Resolution also stated:

“For Resolution members involved as part of the panel, it presents a new way to reach clients and deliver services according to the budget and needs of the client.”

With advice currently priced between £100-£300, it is hoped that the price transparency and increased affordability will provide those who would not normally be able to seek legal advice, with “much-needed and timely support”.

Melanie Bataillard-Samuel, co-chair of Resolution’s Innovation Group, spoke about the need of the scheme:

“When legal aid was withdrawn from the vast majority of family law cases, as a result of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO), many of the consequences predicted by family justice professionals came true…

“We saw a massive rise in the numbers of Litigants in Person. At the last count, 39% of private family cases saw neither party represented, up from 14% when LASPO was implemented.

“I’m delighted that we’re able to work with Law for Life on this vital project that will go some way to addressing the challenges faced by families since the withdrawal of legal aid. We aim to lead the way in this area, create a sustainable business model that works for clients and providers alike, and demonstrate to government the positive impact early legal advice can have on families.”

Resolution are asking for members to help spread the word about this innovative new service among your networks. Anyone facing issues around child arrangements or divorce should visit Advicenow, where they will find relevant guides as well as details about the service.

Natasha Harding

Having previously worked as a wedding photographer for 14 years, a change in family circumstances gave me a taste for family law, particularly in divorce, child custody and especially parental alienation.

I am now doing an LLM in Legal Practise with the aim to work within the legal industry, specialising in family law.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *