Paul Waterworth
Retired District Judge, Associate at Magdalen Chambers, Exeter and Member of their Financial Resolution Consultancy
In his final announcement, the recently retired President of the Family Division of the High Court, Sir James Munby, referred to a development which is playing an increasingly significant role in financial disputes in family cases. This is the increase in the use and effectiveness of the process known either as early neutral evaluation or private financial dispute resolution hearings (private FDR’s). For the purposes of this piece, the latter description is used.
What is a private FDR?
Sir James said:
'A private FDR is a simple concept. The parties pay for a financial remedy specialist to act as a private FDR judge. That person may be a solicitor, barrister or retired judge. The private FDR takes place at a time convenient to the parties, usually in solicitors’ offices or barristers’ chambers, and a full day is normally set aside to maximise the prospects of settlement. It usually replaces the in-court FDR.'
The timing of a private FDR
The President continued his remarks by mentioning the inter-relationship between the formal court process and a private FDR:
'Usually, where the parties have agreed to a private FDR, the order made at the first appointment will record such an agreement in the recital, and will provide for a short directions hearing shortly after the date of the private FDR. The directions hearing can be vacated if agreed minutes are submitted following a successful FDR. If it has been unsuccessful then directions for the final hearing can be given. An alternative is for the case to be adjourned generally while the private FDR takes place.'
As a rider to the comments by Sir James, it should be noted that a private FDR can take place at any time during the court process or even, if the parties agree, before an application is issued. There will usually be little difficulty obtaining from the court, an (often temporary) adjournment of the court process to enable the private FDR to be held.
It is, however, important that the parties have made full, or at least adequate, disclosure of their respective financial positions before the private FDR is held, to avoid any later arguments about the financial information upon which a settlement was achieved.
Who will conduct a private FDR and where?
Private FDR’s are invariably conducted by practising or retired legal practitioners or retired judges, using the knowledge and expertise gained in this discrete area of family law.
There are groups of retired judges and practising and retired legal professionals (both barristers and solicitors) who have established polished systems and facilities for dealing with private FDR’s.
The advantages of a private FDR
The advantages of the private FDR system, now formally endorsed by the President of the Family Division, as indicated above, as an alternative to at least part of the exclusively court based process, are seen to be many.
Busy family practitioners are more aware than most of the problems associated with the court FDR lists which include:
. Delays in cases reaching court are inimical to the maintenance of the momentum of
negotiations between the parties.
. Even when a date has been obtained, cases are regularly over listed so that is
frequently the case that there is insufficient time for the judge both to prepare
adequately for all the FDR’s in the list or to give each case the time that is needed to
explore in depth the possibilities of a settlement.
. Cases often overrun and parties cannot guarantee that their case will start on time
with the result that there are unacceptable waiting times
. Facilities in courts are far too often found to be unsatisfactory, insufficient and not
conducive to calm and effective negotiations.
. Cases are sometimes listed before judges with insufficient experience or the
expertise required for a particular case.
In contrast, if parties elect to hold a private FDR:
. Whilst the structure of the private FDR bears a resemblance to a hearing in court,
the atmosphere is less formal and intimidating for the parties.
. There are no other cases or parties and the surroundings are quiet and conducive to
calm discussion and negotiation.
. With the help of their lawyers, the parties can select the identity of the private FDR
judge thought to be suitable for the case from amongst those professionals offering
this service.
. There is less, often much less, delay in fixing an appointment for a private FDR than
waiting for a court date so that continued uncertainty for parties is reduced.
. The judge conducting the private FDR will have time to read the papers and prepare
for the hearing.
. The judge will have no other cases to hear on the day fixed for the private FDR and
can give sole attention to the private FDR.
. There will be adequate time for privater discussion by the parties with their lawyers
and negotiations with the other party
. The parties can continue to have the support of their legal advisors who can
accompany them to the private FDR.
. Whilst the judge at the private FDR cannot make a formal court order, the parties
can sign an agreement setting out the terms of any agreement reached which can
later be converted into a court order approved by the court usually without the need
for the parties to attend court.
. The parties have the advantage of hearing the views of an independent professional
experienced in cases of this sort and will be given reasonable time to consider
whether or not an agreement can be achieved.
. The private FDR will be conducted on the basis that what is said is confidential to
that meeting, so that if agreement is not achieved, neither party can take advantage
of anything said at the private FDR. This means that the parties can speak freely
and openly without fear of prejudicing their legal position.
. Research has shown that cases which are resolved by agreement between parties
rather than being imposed upon them by the court, have a far higher prospect of
being observed.
. If the private FDR does not result in an agreement to settle the case, the parties are
still able to continue the proceedings in court.
Summary
There are some who say that the system of private FDR’s is a “privatisation” of the justice system, akin, for example, to private medicine or education. The reality is that the engagement of an independent expert to express a view on a case is no more than many parties seek already, for example, in attending mediation or taking a (sometimes second) professional opinion on the whole or part of their case.
Others refer to the cost as being a disincentive to attempts to settle in this way. Again, in cases which are conducted before the courts, more often than not, when parties are legally represented, there will be regularly be discussions and negotiations between the lawyers who seek to achieve a fair settlement. Such actions by the lawyers will not take place without cost to the clients. If a case is referred to a private FDR and a settlement is achieved, then the continuing costs of the court case is avoided.
The Financial Resolution Consultancy, which is part of Magdalen Chambers, offers a full and confidential private FDR service by retired judges and practitioners who have judicial experience.
For further information and a confidential preliminary discussion please contact chambers.
01392 208484 frc@magdalenchambers.co.uk