Knowledge and resources

Client care is an essential part of a lawyer’s role and is the very first topic dealt with in the SRA Code of Conduct. It is subject to regulatory control due to the importance of the relationship for the client, who may not have had any reason to consult a lawyer in the past.

The introduction, development and evolution of new methods of resolving family disputes for changing families means there is a need for us all to look at how we communicate as members of Resolution; with our clients, with other members, with our clients’ former partners if they are not represented by a lawyer, with other members of our clients’ families, with other non-member lawyers, barristers, judges, mediators and arbitrators and more widely within the family justice system. Poor communication accounts for the largest number of complaints received by Resolution.

Written correspondence, such as emails or letters, is still the main method of communication in family disputes. The impact of letters and emails can be significant; therefore, consider who the recipient is and what you hope to achieve with the communication.

YRes Conference 2022: Language Matters! This workshop highlighted ongoing issues with the language and tone used in family dispute resolution, and provided an array of practical tips for written communications

In this article for The Review Gemma Hope reports back on the "Using words well: how we can find solutions through language" workshop from the DR Conference 2019

Rein Sikveland presented the following talk as part of one of our Code in Practice events in September 2019.

James Knight, founder of iMA, and two members of Resolution talk about how better understanding a client's communication style or comfort zone can help you in your work as a family practitioner.