Section outline

  • MeetingwithclientOverview

    Below are some top tips from the Code in Practice to help you navigate working with clients using the Resolution approach.

      • Take into account the long term consequences of your actions and communications as well as the short term implications
      • Get the tone right
      • Encourage your clients to be open and honest
      • Make clients aware of the benefits of behaving in a civilised way with other parties
      • Consider both emotional and financial costs and benefits
      • Don't blur the line between financial and children issues
      • Encourage clients to put the best interests of any children first

    Where there is ambivalence or the client is emotionally very inconsistent, the following approach might be useful:

      • Acknowledge that you have heard what the client is saying
      • Suggest time for reflection
      • Talk to the lawyer acting for the other party about timing too
      • Do not try to be something that you are not
      • Refer the client for appropriate help, for instance, counselling via their GP 

    Want to know more?


    If you are working with separating clients, you might like to read Separation and Divorce - Helping parents to help children by clicking on the PDF below.

    Written in conjunction with renowned parenting expert Christina McGhee, this book covers a range of topics about the separation process as well as information about how children are affected and can be helped.
    • Separation and divorce: Helping parents to help children File

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      Our Good Practice Guides offer information on how to work with clients as a family lawyer generally as well as clients with more specific vulnerability issues. 

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      If you are interested you can also sign up for our Early Help for Parents Course, which can be taken online at any time. The course takes approximately two hours and can be completed in instalments. It will go through ways of effectively using the Separation and Divorce - helping parents to help children guide.

    • GPG - Working with clients File

    • GPG - Vulnerable Clients File