Financial Settlement

The team regularly carries out work for clients who have a high net worth. We have particular experience of dealing with people who own businesses, and we will happily liaise with other professionals including accountants and Independent Financial Advisers

Guide to Financial Proceedings

	Process	Timescales
Step 1	File an Application for Ancillary Relief - Form A. Once Form A is issued, Court sets date for First Appointment.
Step 2	Parties exchange sworn statements of their financial circumstances - Form E.	5 weeks before First Appointment
Step 3	Parties file and serve Statement of Issues, Chronology, Questionnaire + any requests for further documents required. Parties decide whether to use all or part of First Appt as a Financial Dispute Resolution Appointment (FDR).	2 weeks before First Appointment
Step 4	First Appointment - this is a Directions Appointment. Judge will give directions on matters e.g. replies to Questionnaire, valuations, expert evidence etc. Usually he will fix a date for the FDR.	Not less than 12 weeks, not more than 16 weeks and filing of Form A
Step 5	Parties file ALL offers made in the case.	1 week before FDR
Step 6	FDR - this is a court led mediation session A 'Without Prejudice' meeting. Judge considers all offers which have been made. Judge indicates appropriate level of settlement. Parties to use best endeavours to reach agreement on matters still in issue. If settlement reached, final order will be made.
Step 7	If settlement was not reached in Step 6, there will be either a further FDR or a final hearing.

Note: (FDR) Financial Dispute Resolution Appointment

Download a copy of the Brachers Guide to Financial Proceedings