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Month: March 2025

Benefits of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) over court proceedings

Posted on by Britt Thompson

The 2024 changes to the Family Procedure Rules (FDR) mean clients are now encouraged to explore alternative dispute resolution methods, with family law practitioners providing guidance on the best options available. Mediation, arbitration, private FDRs, and collaborative law provide quicker, more affordable, and less confrontational ways to resolve disputes without going to court.

Cost-effectiveness

Going to court can be costly, with legal fees adding up over time. Filing documents, attending hearings, and hiring experts all increase expenses. In contrast, NCDR options are usually faster and more affordable. Private FDRs, for example, offer an early case review at a much lower cost than a full court trial.

To encourage mediation, the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme has been extended until 2026, offering up to £500 per case for children-related disputes. This financial support aims to make mediation more accessible and reduce court reliance.

Speed and efficiency

The court system remains under strain, causing long delays in financial and children-related cases. NCDR offers much faster solutions. Mediation can happen within weeks, while arbitration and private FDRs let people set their own hearing dates instead of waiting for a court slot. In financial cases, avoiding delays can help prevent unnecessary stress and hardship.

Greater control and flexibility

NCDR gives people more control over their outcomes instead of leaving the decision to a judge. Mediation and collaborative law help create solutions that fit their needs, while arbitration lets them choose an expert to decide their case. In court, decisions follow strict rules, leaving little room for flexibility.

Reduced emotional strain

Going to court can feel like a battle, often making conflicts worse instead of solving them, especially when children are involved. Mediation and collaborative law help people communicate better, keeping relationships intact and reducing stress. Plus, NCDR takes place in a more relaxed setting, making it far less intimidating than a courtroom.

While NCDR offers many benefits, legal advice remains essential. Mediators and arbitrators do not provide legal representation, so parties should obtain independent legal advice to understand their rights and obligations. A solicitors can ensure that settlements are fair, legally sound, and enforceable if necessary.

Confidentiality and privacy

With increasing court transparency, many clients value the confidentiality of NCDR. Arbitration and mediation allow disputes to be resolved privately, without personal matters becoming public.

NCDR offers significant advantages over court proceedings, including lower costs, faster resolutions, greater flexibility, and reduced emotional strain. With the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme extended to 2026 and new court rules encouraging engagement with NCDR, it is more important than ever for family law practitioners to guide clients towards these alternatives while ensuring they receive appropriate legal advice.

To speak to our family and divorce team about exploring NCDR or mediation please get in touch with Naim Qureshi on 01494 781356 or email naim.qureshi@blasermills.co.uk.

Celebrating women in law

Posted on by Britt Thompson

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across all industries, including law. The first International Women’s Day was held in March 1911, at a time when women were still barred from qualifying as lawyers. Women were not permitted to enter the legal profession until the enactment of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919. Over a century later, women have made significant progress in law, yet barriers to access and career progression remain.

At Blaser Mills, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse talent is valued and supported.

The importance of intersectionality in law

Intersectionality refers to the way different aspects of a person’s identity such as gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background—interact and create unique experiences. Recognising this is essential for building a truly inclusive legal profession.

Women in law face challenges, but these are often heightened for those from ethnic minority backgrounds, state school educations, or non-traditional career paths. As a newly qualified solicitor who was the first in my family to attend a university (non-Russell Group), educated in a state school, and from an ethnic minority and working-class background, I understand how multiple factors can shape career progression.

#AccelerateAction

This IWD, with the theme #AccelerateAction, is a reminder that while progress has been made, more must be done to ensure true equality in the legal profession. By mentoring, supporting, and championing women in law, we can continue breaking down barriers for future generations.

Mentoring the next generation

As an alumnus of City, University of London, I am currently mentoring a law student from my former university through the EmpowHER programme, which supports aspiring female lawyers. Giving back to the next generation is important to me, and I am passionate about helping women, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds like me, navigate the challenges of entering the legal profession.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

At Blaser Mills, we do not just talk about diversity—we live it. By focusing on hiring great people regardless of background, we have cultivated a firm full of talented individuals, each bringing unique perspectives to the business.

Our diversity initiatives include:

  • Gender Equality: 50% of our partners are female.
  • Work-Life Balance: Over 25% of our team work part-time or have flexible arrangements.
  • Inclusion Forum: We have our own employee-led Inclusion Forum, where the members of the Forum engage in discussions and initiatives aimed at raising awareness, improving policies, and fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued.

As we look to the future, our focus remains on accelerating positive change. This means continuing to support the next generation of legal professionals through mentorship, advancing policies that promote equality, and ensuring that diverse voices are represented and heard in every aspect of our work.

On this International Women’s Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to driving change within the legal profession.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Blaser Mills partners with Acquisition Masters

Posted on by Britt Thompson

Blaser Mills are delighted to partner with Acquisition Masters, a rapidly growing community of UK business owners focused on scaling through acquisitions.

The new partnership will see our Corporate M&A team support members with demystifying the acquisition process and helping to navigate through complex M&A issues, with the view to helping members to achieve their commercial goals.

Oksana Howard, Head of Corporate, has recently presented at their London event in January on key aspects to consider when buying a business in the UK. This included an overview of acquisition structures (highlighting key differences between asset and share purchases), tax considerations and an outline of the acquisition process.

If you are an ambitious business owner looking for growth opportunities, please get in touch with Clive Margetts at team@acquisitionmasters.co.uk or Oksana at corporate@blasermills.co.uk.