Round Table Meetings: Resolving Disputes Out of Court

what is a round table meeting?

Sitting around a table to discuss issues is often an extremely effective way to move a dispute forward.  A round table meeting is a meeting designed specifically for the purpose of settlement discussions. Parties and their legal advisors meet to consider and attempt to narrow the issues at hand and undertake negotiations. 

These meetings can vary in their formality but often parties and their advisors will each have discussions in separate rooms, and all meet in a third room to consider proposals. 

Round table meetings are conducted on a without prejudice basis, allowing the parties and their advisors to speak freely without the concern that their discussions will be used against them in court if no agreement is reached. These meetings can occur before or during court proceedings, and agreeing to meet can often shift the tone of the dispute from combative to more collaborative. Even if a settlement is not reached, the meeting can be valuable in helping the parties explain and understand each other’s positions, as well as potentially break a deadlock in negotiations or narrow down the issues.  

Often, clients feel they need the support of a solicitor present to help them negotiate and to advise them, but like the idea of reaching their own bespoke solution with their spouse or partner, making a round table meeting an attractive alternative to financial remedy proceedings.

However, it is important to note that any agreement informally reached between parties will not be legally binding, including agreements reached at a round table meeting. This means that parties will still be able to make financial claims against each other, even if a final order has been granted to legally end the marriage. As such, it is important to seek a consent order from the family court to formalise any agreement and make it legally binding, cutting financial ties between the parties.

If you’re considering or going through a divorce and would like to explore methods of alternative dispute resolution to come to an agreement with your spouse, we can help. Click below for a free initial consultation with one of our expert divorce solicitors. 

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