3PB launches new children law arbitration service

13th May 2020

Hot on the heels of its launch of a remote FDR (Financial Dispute Resolution) service, large national chambers 3PB Barristers has launched a new arbitration service for children cases. This is in response to record levels of demand for family arbitrations via video to resolve disputes over child arrangements be it where children live or the time they spend with the other parent, where they go to school or even whether they can relocate permanently or temporarily.

This time the ever-innovative 3PB has decided to create a recommended pool or panel of highly experienced arbitrators from outside Chambers and announced that two specialist family lawyers, Suzanne Kingston and Barbara Corbett will be its first panellists. The 70-strong family team has also today announced further plans to add to this panel with other high profile, successful arbitrators.

Head of 3PB’s Family Law team, Vanessa Meachin QC, confirmed: “We are facing record demand for arbitration these past weeks. With many hearings being adjourned off and delayed, clients are looking to arbitration to quickly resolve the dispute, and so remove a source of stress and commercial uncertainty. I am really pleased to launch this complementary service and immediately attract Suzanne and Barbara to be panel arbitrators. Both are standout arbitrators in disputes about children.”

Suzanne Kingston said: “3PB’s already there with remote technology for organising virtual courts, hearings and proceedings plus has its barristers busy supporting clients in front of arbitrators. It makes sense to collaborate by creating a panel of arbitrators for its law firm and in-house solicitor clients.”

Jersey-based children law arbitrator Barbara Corbett said: “I was thrilled to be asked. I’ve known Vanessa and 3PB for years and really rate them. This is a very forward thinking move to create an independent, non-exclusive group of arbitrators to assist their clients.”

For further information about the 3PB children arbitration service, and the likely costs for counsel or arbitrators, please contact Ian Charlton on [email protected] or Rob Leonard on [email protected].

Watch Vanessa Meachin QC, Suzanne Kingston and Barbara Corbett discuss arbitration here:

 

NOTES:

1. Increasingly arbitrators will often be appointed at short notice. Many of the child law cases that are being postponed now will already be ready for a hearing, so cases are being transferred to arbitration at short notice and the parties’ preparation isn’t wasted.

2. Anticipating that courts will be facing a backlog of children cases when the UK comes out of lockdown. Presently only 40-50% of family cases are being dealt with, mostly the shorter case management hearings. For the bigger issues, there will be an even greater backlog of cases.

3. President of Family Law Courts said at a recent IFLA meeting : “Arbitration has come to family law. We need to embrace it”

4. Full details about both lawyers can be found on the IFLA website: please click on their names here Suzanne Kingston and Barbara Corbett.

5. Details on 3PB’s family arbitration service can be found here.