Non-Court Dispute Resolution Solicitors in Solihull

Support with resolving disagreements about family finances or arrangements for your children, with clear advice on your options outside contested court proceedings.

Our non-court dispute resolution solicitors in Solihull can help you explore ways to resolve disagreements about family finances or arrangements for your children without going to court. We understand that these discussions can be emotionally difficult, and we’ll support you with clear advice so you can consider proposals with a fuller understanding of what they would mean for you.

In England and Wales, the Family Procedure Rules 2010 recognise several approaches, including mediation, arbitration, an assessment by an independent professional and collaborative law. Each works differently, so we’ll explain the options relevant to your disagreement and whether you would need support from a specially qualified practitioner.

Your safety will guide our advice about whether a particular approach is suitable, especially if you have experienced domestic abuse or feel under pressure to agree. We’ll help you assess whether you can take part safely and make decisions freely. If you reach an agreement, we can also explain its legal effect and any further steps needed to make it binding.

We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your concerns and help you understand which approach may suit your circumstances. As a firm authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we’ll explain how we can support you and what our advice will cost before you decide whether to proceed

How can our dispute resolution solicitors help you?

Our dispute resolution solicitors help you identify a suitable way to address the disagreement and obtain legal advice throughout discussions. We explain when another professional needs to be involved. We can help you with:

Solicitor-led negotiations, including setting out your proposals and responding to the other person’s position through correspondence or agreed discussions.
Mediation advice, including helping you prepare for meetings with an independent mediator and reviewing proposals before you decide whether to accept them.
Financial disclosure, including identifying the documents needed to assess settlement proposals and raising questions where information about assets or income is incomplete.
Private financial dispute resolution, including considering whether an independent evaluator’s assessment could help you narrow disputed points and reach a financial agreement.
Arbitration advice, including explaining the proposed process and its implications before you decide whether to appoint an independent family arbitrator.
Collaborative law options, including discussing whether negotiations involving separately trained collaborative practitioners would be suitable for the disagreement you need to resolve.
Safety and suitability concerns, including considering domestic abuse or financial pressure and advising when protective steps or court proceedings may be needed.
Recording agreements, including preparing an appropriate consent order for financial terms or advising on how agreed arrangements for children should be documented.

Why choose Pearcelegal for non-court dispute resolution?

We can help you consider proposals for resolving a family dispute and prepare the legal documents needed to put an agreed settlement into effect. As your legal adviser, we focus on your rights and interests. If you choose a process involving an independent mediator or arbitrator, we’ll explain how their role differs from ours and whether someone with specialist qualifications needs to be involved.

Your free initial consultation gives you time to talk through your concerns and discuss how we could help. We’ll explain what the work would involve, so you can decide whether you’d like us to act for you

Get in touch

If you want to discuss resolving a family disagreement through non-court dispute resolution methods, contact our family law team for a free initial consultation about your options and the advice you need.

Page updated: 2nd November 2026

Frequently asked questions

Can refusing non-court dispute resolution affect legal costs?

Yes, in financial remedy proceedings the court can consider an unreasonable failure to attend a MIAM or non-court dispute resolution when deciding whether to make a costs order. The Family Procedure Rules 2010 require consideration of the reasons for non-attendance. A refusal does not automatically lead to a costs order, and safety concerns require proper assessment.

Is non-court dispute resolution suitable where there is abuse?

Suitability depends on safety and the circumstances of the abuse. Tell us about any controlling behaviour or pressure that could affect your ability to participate freely. An assessment may identify safeguards or establish that a proposed process is unsuitable. Urgent protection should be considered promptly, and an exemption from the MIAM requirement may apply.

Is a private financial dispute resolution decision binding?

No, an evaluator’s indication at a private financial dispute resolution meeting does not itself impose a settlement. The evaluator gives an assessment intended to help negotiations. You retain the choice whether to agree to proposed terms. If you reach a financial settlement on divorce, you should then seek an appropriate consent order to make the arrangements binding.

What is the difference between mediation and arbitration?

A mediator helps you discuss and identify the reason for your dispute and seek an agreement, but they do not decide the outcome for you. An arbitrator is appointed to decide specified disputed questions within an agreed process. Arbitration decisions are intended to bind you, subject to the applicable legal safeguards and any court steps needed to give them effect.

Do I have to try mediation before applying to court?

You will usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting before making certain family court applications, unless an exemption applies. The meeting assesses suitability and explains available options. Attending a MIAM does not require you to reach an agreement.

Our specialists in Non-Court Dispute Resolution

Nicholas Thomas

Managing Director

Stephanie Howard

Director, Solicitor and Head of Department for Family and Litigation

Expert advice for you Book a free consultation

The team at Pearcelegal will be delighted to discuss your legal matters and give you a no-obligation quote.