Family law protocol

The Law Society has launched a new family law protocol providing guidelines for lawyers with a view to making the divorce process less acrimonious. It has been produced by the Solicitors Family Law Association, the Lord Chancellor’s Department and the Legal Services Commission to encourage conciliation, put the interests of the children first, speed up the divorce process, reduce costs and encourage solicitors to be alert for the signs of physical abuse. Lawyers are urged to do everything possible to avoid inflaming the situation, to provide communication between both parties and always to explore the scope for mediation.