One couple, one lawyer – joint divorce applications
Simplify your joint divorce or separation with our one-lawyer service, it is efficient, clear, and designed to keep costs low.
Independent legal guidance to help you navigate divorce together, efficiently and amicably.
We are proud to offer a progressive and constructive approach to separation: our One Lawyer, One Couple service. Instead of each person instructing separate solicitors, you work together with one specially trained family lawyer who acts as a neutral facilitator. They guide you through the legal process, taking you through the necessary steps and services depending on your situation, whether that be a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) or straight into our one couple lawyer service, helping you reach informed, fair agreements on finances, children, and other key issues, all without going to court.
This joint service is not only faster and more cost-effective, but it also supports healthier communication and more sustainable outcomes, especially where children are involved.
- Our flexible approach allows you to choose the level of support you need, with clear pricing and no unnecessary work.
- Trusted family law experts who advise families with practical solutions that prioritise children’s wellbeing.
- With the support of our in-house mediator, we help clients find constructive solutions wherever possible, reducing conflict, minimising costs and staying out of court where possible.
- Backed by a leading full-service law firm, with access to other specialist legal advice whenever you need it.
Our joint divorce services
Our joint divorce services offers a range of tailored, collaborative options including:
One lawyer divorce service
Our neutral, specially trained family solicitor guides both partners through the entire divorce process, facilitating communication and helping you reach balanced agreements efficiently and cost-effectively.
Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
An initial meeting to explore whether mediation is suitable for your situation, helping you understand the benefits and decide the best way to move forward.
Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE)
A confidential, expert-led evaluation of your case to clarify key issues and likely outcomes, supporting informed decision-making and encouraging early resolution.
Mediation
A collaborative process where a neutral mediator helps both parties reach fair agreements on finances, children, and other important matters without going to court.
Get started online for free, initial advice
Looking to start the one couple, one lawyer process? Complete our online form, and we will provide advice tailored specifically to your situation.
What makes our divorce services different?
Flexible and bespoke support
We tailor our support based on your individual needs and can draw on expertise in other legal areas to ensure every angle is covered, from property to business interests.
We ensure every angle is covered
We have extensive external networks that mean we can signpost you to and work with other services that may be beneficial, such as counselling, financial advice and coaching, to help with property and business to ensure you have the full support you require.
Joint services for separating couples
We were one of the first law firms in the country to offer a range of innovative one couple, one solicitor services. We will help you to understand if these are right for you, potentially saving you time and money.
You are in control of the costs
We know how worrying the cost of a divorce or separation can be and will work with you to find the most cost-effective way of supporting you. We are flexible with how much support you require, offering a variety of options to suit your budget. We keep you fully informed of all costs and future costs on a regular basis and always keep proportionality under review.
Joint divorce services FAQs
What are the advantages of using a one couple one lawyer service?
There are many benefits to using the same lawyer when separating or divorcing, these include:
Streamlined discussions: One neutral lawyer guides both parties, reducing misunderstandings and conflict.
Cost-effective: Typically faster and less expensive than each person hiring separate solicitors.
Encourages cooperation: Supports fair and balanced agreements on finances and child arrangements.
Reduces court involvement: Helps avoid lengthy, adversarial court battles.
Less stressful: Promotes a more respectful and amicable approach, especially important when children are involved.
Which joint service for separating couples is right for me?
After your initial meeting with us, we will carefully assess your situation and advise which joint service best suits your needs. Depending on your circumstances, we may recommend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) or other tailored steps to help you navigate separation smoothly. The One Lawyer Support approach is where matters are already agreed, likely to be agreed, or where the circumstances are very straightforward. Mediation and/or Early Neutral Evaluation are more appropriate where matters are more complex or where there is more in dispute.
Is it possible to move between joint services?
Yes. We recommend starting with the MIAM. From there you can move into any of the other joint services (Mediation, One Lawyer Support or ENE) or even to one of you instructing us on a sole basis if that is better suited.
Do we have to be amicable to use a joint divorce application service?
No, not entirely. While some services, such as our one couple, one lawyer service, are unlikely to be suitable unless you are already amicable, our other joint services such as Mediation and Early Neutral Evaluation can still be highly successful in situations with high conflict or animosity. Often, these services will help you find common ground and make it easier to resolve issues.
Get in touch with us, and we will guide you through your options and recommend the service that is most suitable for your circumstances as they stand.
What happens if we cannot reach an agreement?
Our joint services offer flexibility so that you can use different methods to explore whether you have the ability to reach agreement. However, sometimes it may not be possible, perhaps due to the complexity of the issues, or just because you cannot agree on an outcome that is acceptable to you both even after receiving guidance via Early Neutral Evaluation. In those circumstances, we will work with you to narrow the issues and then, support the two of you in having matters determined, most likely, by an independent arbitrator.
Can either of us still take independent legal advice?
Yes. We will help you to identify any specific areas of complexity where independent advice may be beneficial. If independent advice is required, we can signpost you to appropriate lawyers who will provide it alongside the joint process.
If your situation reaches a point where individual representation is necessary, you may each choose to appoint your own solicitor. In that case, we can support one party and, if needed, recommend a solicitor for the other, or you can also find one independently.
Are there circumstances where a joint divorce service would not be appropriate?
Yes, there are circumstances where a one couple one lawyer service may not be appropriate. For example, if there is a history of domestic abuse, coercion, or significant power imbalances between the parties, a joint approach may not provide a safe or fair environment. Additionally, if one party is unwilling to cooperate or communicate openly, or if the issues involved are highly complex or contentious, separate legal representation might be necessary to protect each person’s interests.
Can one lawyer represent both parties in a divorce?
Yes, one lawyer can assist both parties in a divorce through a joint service designed to provide neutral, balanced support. Our one lawyer service means we are a facilitator to help both parties communicate effectively, understand their options, and reach fair agreements on key issues like finances and child arrangements.
However, we must remain impartial and cannot advocate exclusively for either side. If a conflict of interest arises or one party requires individual legal advice, separate representation may be necessary; however, we also offer other options, such as mediation services, that can provide valuable support beforehand.
Contact us
If you would like advice about a personal or family matter, please complete the form and one of our specialists will be in touch as soon as possible.
Please note we do not offer legal aid.
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Why use our one couple, one divorce solicitor service?
We provide a constructive approach to divorce
We encourage mediation and other constructive processes. Paul Linsell, head of the family law, is a fully accredited mediator with a national reputation. Paul’s role as a mediator is to unlock disputes, skilfully guide the discussions, provide relevant information, and to signpost you to other resources that will be helpful as the process unfolds.
Trusted, specialist advice you can rely on
Our dedicated divorce solicitors combine technical expertise with a personal approach, taking the time to understand what matters most to you. We provide clear, practical advice throughout the divorce process, helping you make informed decisions while protecting your future and achieving a fair resolution.
We are a leading full-service law firm
Boyes Turner is recognised as a leading law firm by Chambers UK and The Legal 500. As a full-service firm, we can draw on the expertise of our other specialist teams such as private wealth, property and dispute to provide seamless support whenever you need it. We also work closely with other professional services that may be beneficial to you, such as counselling, financial advice and coaching, to ensure you have the full support you require.
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