ADR
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Broadway House Chambers has a specialist team equipped to assist in the resolution of family disputes through the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution, (‘ADR’) which the courts are increasingly urging parties to consider both before and during proceedings. We offer an array of services, including Arbitration, Private FDRs/DRAs and Early Neutral Evaluation. The team comprises a dedicated group of specialist practitioners who are able to work with you to assist in the resolution of parties’ cases, whether that be financial remedy, cohabitation and trust disputes, or private children cases. Our ADR practitioners offer a range of expertise and span different levels of experience, including those who sit as family Recorders and Deputy District Judges. No case is too big or small to rule out ADR.
ADVANTAGES OF ADR
There are many advantages to private resolution of cases, including:
A specialist practitioner who is available for the entire day, or the duration of the arbitration.
The ability to choose your adjudicator to suit the complexity of the case and/or the level of experience required.
Choice and freedom of dates, times and venue/video platform to suit the parties.
Ability to fix a meeting at short notice.
Avoidance of delay.
Privacy.
OUR SERVICES & FACILITIES
Broadway House Chambers offers ‘in person’ private resolution options, in the comfort of chambers. Chambers has the facilities to conduct the type of ADR which suits you and your client. Chambers is also fully equipped to undertake all ADR options by remote means. Online platforms enable meeting rooms to be set up to facilitate private and privileged discussions separate from your ADR judge/early neutral evaluator and your opponents. Appointments can held in either our Leeds or Bradford Chambers or a venue of your choice or entirely remotely.
ADR TEAM
Arbitration
Arbitration allows any case to be heard and decided by a specialist practitioner away from the court environment but carrying the same authority as a judge to determine the areas of dispute. It can be used for all issues or discrete points and can be conducted by way of oral evidence with or without representation, similar to a final hearing or by way of submissions or even on paper. The decision of an arbitrator is binding in the same way as a judge at final hearing. As with our other ADR options, it can be conducted remotely or in person.
Robert Cole MCIArb (Head of the Family Law Team), Nicola Shaw and Nick Power are Financial Remedy Arbitrators. They also deal with applications pursuant to The Children Act 1989 schedule 1.
Emily Ward(Deputy Head of the Family Team) is a Children Law and Financial Remedy Arbitrator.
Private Financial Dispute Resolution Representation
It is perhaps thought that Private FDRs are for ‘big money’ cases only. That is not the case. No matter how big or small the ‘pot’ a Private FDR can be of assistance. In smaller money cases private resolution of the case can, in the long run, be far more cost effective and reduce litigation costs.
Private FDR Judges
Our Family Law Team houses eleven experienced private FDR Judges. For barristers available to represent other parties, please see above. All fees are plus VAT.
Anthony Hajimitsis (1984) - £4,000
Roger Bickerdike (1986) - £4,000
Robert Cole (1991) - £4,000
Nicola Shaw (1992) - £4,000
Francesca Fothergill (1994) - £4,000
Matthew Rudd (1994) - £3,500
Zira Hussain (1998) - £3,500
Ian Miller (1999) - £3,500
Alexander Modgill (2002) - £3,000
Sharn Samra (2002) - £3,000
Nick Power (2004) - £3,500
Emily Ward (2011) - £3,500
Jake Ellis (2010) - £2,500
Harry Wiltshire (2015) - £1,500
Mediation
Ned Sproston and Fen Greatley-Hirsch are qualified civil and commercial mediators and are available for instruction in that capacity.
Susan Sanders and Joanne O’Shea are family mediators and are available to mediate in cases involving child arrangements disputes and financial issues after separation.
Mediation is a means by which the parties can sit with an experienced practitioner and talk through the areas of dispute between them in order to understand each other’s arguments and views and aim to achieve a resolution without the formality of court proceedings.
