Why arbitration is the future for divorce ========================================= ![Why arbitration is the future for divorce](https://vardags.com/images/pictures/_360/96b317780b4be83e257d082940f4e6cf.jpeg)Vardags director Catherine Thomas wrote for the international website [The Global Legal Post](https://www.globallegalpost.com/blogs/commentary/why-arbitration-is-the-future-for-divorce-70943775/) about the firm's pioneering use of arbitration. Highlighting the administrative problems which plague the family courts, she explained: "*The courts are suffering from a two-pronged attack: The funding of legal aid for family cases has recently been reduced to almost extinction, forcing those who can't afford to pay for legal advice to stumble their way through a maze of complex law and procedure. The courts themselves have also had their funding significantly cut, leading to a loss of vital and experienced staff. There are therefore insufficient judges and court staff to deal with court's usual workload and the influx of divorcees representing themselves and making (understandable) errors is clogging the system even further*." Arbitration, which first developed in the commercial courts, allows parties to pick their own judge and venue. "*Each party is represented by the lawyers of their choosing who argue their case in front of the specially-selected arbitrator (often a retired judge). The couple are encouraged to reach a settlement even once the arbitration has started, but if the arbitrator does have to make a final decision, the parties will be bound by it and it will usually be turned into a court order*," she explained. Catherine concluded by highlighting the importance privacy aspects of arbitration - *"In a world where the public (and therefore the press) are fascinated by the details of other people's divorces, even if they are not in the public eye, it seems inevitable that the discreet and swift process of arbitration will increasingly be seen as a sanctuary for separating couples*." "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge "A handful of firms dominate the so-called 'glamour' end of the market ... Vardags"The Times "One of the best divorce lawyers in the country"Marie Claire "Ayesha Vardag - 'diva of divorce' for the world's super rich" ![BBC](https://vardags.com/images/logo/bbc.png) "Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius."Lewis Marks KC "Ayesha Vardag - the Queen of divorce"Daily Mail "Vardags brilliantly argued my case to a resounding victory"Pauline Chai (client) "Britain's top divorce lawyer" ![The Telegraph](https://vardags.com/images/logo/telegraph.png) More Divorce news ----------------- [Christmas Divorces: Sprouts, turkey and furtive texting](https://vardags.com/posts/christmas-divorces-sprouts-turkey "Christmas Divorces: Sprouts, turkey and furtive texting") [The most scandalous celebrity divorces in history](https://vardags.com/family-law/celebrity-divorces-history "The most scandalous celebrity divorces in history") [Why arbitration is the future for divorce](https://vardags.com/posts/arbitration-future-divorce "Why arbitration is the future for divorce") [Calls for domestic violence minister to resign after historical assault charge emerges](https://vardags.com/family-law/calls-domestic-violence-minister-resign-historical-assault-charge-emerges "Calls for domestic violence minister to resign after historical assault charge emerges") ['Diva of Divorce' hits out at 'rich-bashing'](https://vardags.com/posts/diva-divorce-hits-rich-bashing "'Diva of Divorce' hits out at 'rich-bashing'") Articles by John Oxley ---------------------- [Christmas Divorces: Sprouts, turkey and furtive texting](https://vardags.com/posts/christmas-divorces-sprouts-turkey "Christmas Divorces: Sprouts, turkey and furtive texting") [The most scandalous celebrity divorces in history](https://vardags.com/family-law/celebrity-divorces-history "The most scandalous celebrity divorces in history") [Why arbitration is the future for divorce](https://vardags.com/posts/arbitration-future-divorce "Why arbitration is the future for divorce") [Get a prenup first, then put a ring on it](https://vardags.com/posts/get-prenup-first "Get a prenup first, then put a ring on it") [The Rise (and Risks) of the DIY Prenups](https://vardags.com/posts/rise-risks-diy-prenup "The Rise (and Risks) of the DIY Prenups")