Fylde based Ormrods Solicitors & Advocates Ltd is extending its services by offering early neutral evaluation, better known within the legal industry as ENE.
It allows the law firm to give those who are going through matrimonial or civil partnership separation the opportunity to settle their finances earlier and more amicably than if they used the current court process.
Ormrods’ in house solicitor advocate Michael Penny has the authority to represent clients in any civil or criminal court up to and including the Supreme Court.
His experience in dealing with matrimonial and civil partnership cases and their associated financial settlements means that he is also able to act as a ‘private judge’ and undertake early neutral evaluations. It effectively means performing a similar but less formal role to that of a courtroom judge.
An ENE session allows each party in a particular case, and their respective lawyers, to appoint a ‘private judge’ to undertake a preliminary, confidential assessment which would usually take place in a court of law.
The process involves a hearing of each side of the case, consideration of all the factual evidence and the relationship history, and then an advisory determination on what type of settlement might be imposed by a court.
“Separation is always an extremely stressful and difficult experience for both parties and early neutral evaluation can in many cases save a lot of heartache for those involved,” explains Michael Penny from Ormrods Solicitors & Advocates.
“Clients often find that a mutually agreeable decision can be reached much more quickly with this more collaborative approach to their negotiation. It is in much greater demand nowadays as an out of court service, especially because it can ease concern and emotional distress.
“It ensures that you can undertake the assessment of your case at a time of your choice and potentially reach an agreed settlement much more quickly and without going to court. It also means you can save money on expensive court fees and more quickly ascertain what the court is likely to decide.”
Ormrods Solicitors & Advocates has over 30 years of experience in family law and commercial litigation. The legal firm helps clients with a range of family law matters including divorce, separation, injunctions, civil partnerships, prenuptial agreements, wills, probate, power of attorney, estate administration and conveyancing.
It also deals with financial or commercial disputes, including business services or contract disagreements.
For further information about Ormrods Solicitors & Advocates Ltd mediation services, visit www.ormrods.co.uk or call 01253 850777.
