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Divorce is difficult. We’re here to help you untangle the knots.
Our family law solicitors offer a range of legal services dealing with children’s matters.
We help make the financial side of getting a divorce as simple as possible, whilst retaining what you deserve.
Our international divorce lawyers regularly advise on cases involving complex international aspects.
The breakdown of a relationship can often be a difficult and emotional time. Our separation and divorce lawyers support and offer advice on pre-civil partnership agreements, post-civil partnership agreements, civil partnership dissolution, and finances when a civil partnership ends.
Our family law solicitors are experienced in providing support for families experiencing difficult changes in their lives, including breakdowns in relationships and changes to family life.
At Austin Kemp, we’re here to help. Find out more about the divorce process, and other key information with our vast resource section.
Our industry-first Divorce Report combines numerous data sources and internal research, to bring you this specialist report.
Our expert divorce lawyers have listed questions which are commonly asked by our clients, to which we have provided an answer.
Our legal videos break down the complexity and jargon within our profession.
Our Legal Brochures detail the process for each area of Family Law. Download your brochure and learn more about what is involved in this complicated legal topic.
Our Legal Experts have written insights to help you navigate divorce and family law.
Thoroughly excellent service provided via Wikivorce. Was slightly apprehensive of how it would all work, especially at a distance. However, they were swift, efficient, immensely polite, accurate, and gave regular updates. I would recommend them to anyone.
Can't fault my experience in any way. Brilliant advice / available at short notice for any questions and most importantly swiftly achieved the desired result. Found Austin Kemp after feeling HCB Solicitors were not acting in my best interests and I was correct on all fronts - even including having an appreciation for the fact Divorce is already emotional situation. Also, rather than have to query every suggested next step and be charged for the pleasure; As I'd done a little research of my own and was able to challenge their advice - however we pay Solicitors for their expertise and need to put our trust in them. Austin Kemp thankfully achieved that for me during our first conversation I was already reassured they understood what I wanted and how best to achieve it. Resulting in 7-8 months less work and no court appearances as I had been previously advised by HCB. I THANK YOU DEARLY AUSTIN KEMP. I can start my life again earlier and with a healthier bank balance because of you!!!
Amazing service. For the first time in nearly two years I feel less in a spiral and more in control.
Thoroughly professional, straightforward, timely and reasonably priced. I would recommend this firm to anyone. Thank you Emma and Austen Kemp for a great service.
Thank you so much. You were great. I wasted so much time and money with my previous solicitors and only regret I did not contact you earlier. I have dropped a line to Paul to thank him for referring me to you. I hope you enjoyed the red I sent you as a token of our appreciation.
Austin Kemp provides a pragmatic and honest approach to the individual's journey through Family Law issues. They demonstrate a willingness and capacity to respond to challenging and unpredictable circumstances. The professional, yet personal, service is naturally client centred, but with a realistic and informed view of children's needs. And it has been heartening to have such a caring team walk beside me in the long journey.
I cannot recommend highly enough Austin Kemp as a strong, commercially intelligent and the most effective negotiators. Their negotiation skills are second to none. I have seen firsthand the excellent results this team achieves for their clients.
Just want to say thanks so much for everything. You have been brilliant and very patient. I always felt comfortable calling when asking to clarify certain points of the divorce.
I can honestly say that I am more than satisfied with the management of my case and of my then state of mind. I highly recommend this firm. Thank you.
Amandeep Kooner was not prepared to be swayed from a path of professionalism to accommodate my anxiety and frustration. He would not succumb to taking instructions tit for tat response. He ensured at all times that the response he gave reflected a dignified client with a pleasant demeanour. In so doing he demonstrated his commitment to protect and secure my interests and dignity off which I am most grateful.
Although he has a dual approached role which is business and a duty of care, Amandeep Kooner showed concerns for the level of expenditure that I had already put out with no resolve. His team contained the work to the minimum and produced the maximum results. My case was quickly progressed without compromising compassion and understanding.
Very professional service! Explained everything they were doing for my case every step of the way and really helped me to understand how we would proceed. Thank you!
Intellectually bright, hardworking and extremely professional - Amandeep Kooner took my case at it most difficult as I had come to the end of my ability to remain calm and patient. Up until I instructed Austin Kemp, I had lost all hope that any solicitor could convince me in pursuing a non-retaliatory approach as I was losing ground to allegations and fabrications. Tough, hardworking and extremely professional.
In this article, we will take a look at what may await you at your First Hearing and Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA).
Unless you are exempt, it’s necessary to attend a MIAM (Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting) before making an application to Court.
If it is established at the MIAM that the issues cannot be resolved by mediation (or indeed the case is not suitable for it), you can then apply to court.
The relevant documents should then be served to the respondent. CAFCASS (Children & Families Court Advisory & Support Service) will also begin to make safeguarding checks, which may involve a phone call to you and the other parent.
The FHDRA will then take place, normally at least 4 weeks after the application to Court has been made.
The FHDRA is the first court hearing. It is there so that the Court can look at the issues and make decisions about how your case should be progressed.
At this stage, it is helpful if both parties come to court with clear ideas of what they would like to happen in terms of child arrangements.
If you and the other parent can agree what you would like to happen at this stage, the Court may make a final order and your case could come to an end, without the need for any further court hearings.
If an agreement is not possible, the Court may make various directions in order to move your case forward.
It could be that the Court requires more evidence on a certain issue. For example, drugs testing could be ordered.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to schedule in a Fact Finding Hearing. This can happen if, for example, there are allegations of domestic abuse.
Equally, CAFCASS could be ordered to prepare a report. This could take more than 3 months to be completed, so the next court hearing would be scheduled after this time, if this report was necessary.
The Court may make temporary child arrangements orders, although this does not always happen.
The outcome of the FHDRA can vary greatly, depending on your individual circumstances. Obtaining legal advice so that you fully understand what your options are and what the potential outcomes could be, is highly recommended.
Attending your first court hearing can be stressful, especially when there are children involved. Knowing what to expect at the First Hearing and Dispute Resolution Appointment – or FHDRA for short – can help to relieve some of the pressure and make the experience feel less daunting.
Unless you are exempt, it’s necessary to attend a MIAM (Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting) before making an application to the Court.
If it is established at the MIAM that the issues cannot be resolved by mediation (or indeed the case is not suitable for it), you can then apply to the court.
The relevant documents should then be served to the respondent. Cafcass (Children & Families Court Advisory & Support Service) will also begin to make safeguarding checks, which may involve a phone call to you and the other parent.
The FHDRA hearing will then take place, normally at least 4 weeks after the application to Court has been made.
The FHDRA is the first court hearing. It is there so that the Court can look at the issues and make decisions about how your case should be progressed.
It is helpful if both parties come to the FHDRA hearing with clear ideas of what they would like to happen in terms of child arrangements.
If you and the other parent can reach an agreement about child arrangements at the FHDRA hearing, the Court may make a final order and your case could come to an end, without the need for any further court hearings.
If an agreement is not possible at the FHDRA hearing, the Court may make various directions in order to move your case forward.
It could be that the Court requires more evidence on a certain issue. For example, drugs testing could be ordered.
Sometimes, it may be necessary to schedule in a Fact Finding Hearing. This can happen if, for example, there are allegations of domestic abuse.
Equally, Cafcass could be ordered to prepare a report. This could take more than 3 months to be completed, so the next court hearing (after the FHDRA hearing) would be scheduled after this time, if this report was necessary.
The Court may make temporary child arrangements orders at the FHDRA, although this does not always happen.
The First Hearing and Dispute Resolution Appointment is known as such because, as well as the Court considering the issues and making decisions about how the case should progress, one of the main purposes of the FHDRA hearing is dispute resolution. At the First Hearing and Dispute Resolution Appointment, the Court will encourage both parties to reach an agreement regarding child arrangements. If everything can be agreed at the FHDRA hearing, the court could make a final order and the case could come to an end.
Of course, if possible, it is normally best to attempt to reach an agreement before the FHDRA. If both parties can agree child arrangements between themselves, or through another dispute resolution method such as mediation, asking a court to decide the child arrangements will not be necessary.
The outcome of the FHDRA hearing can vary greatly, depending on your individual circumstances. Obtaining legal advice before the FHDRA, so that you fully understand what your options are and what the potential outcomes could be, is highly recommended.
Our expert divorce solicitors can help you with a range of legal issues:
For more information call our divorce solicitors on 0845 862 5001 or email mail@austinkemp.co.uk.
Our expert divorce solicitors offer a nationwide service. We have client meeting office facilities available, in order to have face-to-face client meetings / conferences as and when required in our:
Leeds Office: St Andrew House, The Headrow, Leeds, LS1 5JW
Sheffield Office: Pinfold Street, The Balance, Sheffield, S1 2GU
Manchester Office: King Street, Manchester, M2 4PD
Wakefield Office: Market Walk, Wakefield, WF1 1QR
Canary Wharf Office: 25 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5LB
London Office: 01 Nothumberland Avenue, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5BW
Please contact us for more details.
Find out how we can help you, call us on
0333 311 0925 or email us today.
We offer a free initial consulation for your peace of mind.