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Macnabs Managing Partner, Ruth Croman, has recently been accredited by FLAGS as a Family Law Arbitrator. A well-respected family lawyer, Ruth is a member of the Family Law Association, Consensus Collaboration Scotland and is accredited as a Specialist in both Family Law and Child Law. Macnabs boasts one of the most experienced and highly qualified teams of family law solicitors in Perthshire, Tayside & Stirlingshire.

Arbitration is an alternative method of dispute resolution, where the parties involved choose to appoint an impartial family arbitrator to resolve their family problems, outside of the Courts. It is an ideal approach for people who want to resolve a family dispute without the delay and expense of the court process, especially in the current challenging climate where the Courts are currently effectively closed for all but urgent cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Family law arbitration has many advantages – it can take place at any stage of a dispute and can be used to determine a discrete issue or to resolve the whole of the dispute. Unlike a court litigation, it is also a private process, where no-one but the arbitrator and the parties themselves (and their solicitors) have access to any information about the issues at hand.

Ruth comments: “Arbitration allows both parties to engage in a flexible process, with complete confidentiality, and the knowledge and guarantee that a decision will be made. Whether it is to agree living arrangements for your children after separation, arrangements concerning their upbringing, or to settle disputes regarding finance or property, arbitration can be an attractive forum to resolve disputes.

Even when normal service does eventually resume in the Courts, the court process can be long, complicated and expensive, and often puts increasing pressure on individuals during an already distressing time.

During these difficult times, many people might find that their circumstances require them to raise legal action, and they can’t just ‘ride it out’ waiting for this pandemic to be over. We are here to help and can advise on the best action to take to protect themselves now and prepare for their future.”