Requirements for working with the rich and famous
When tasked with representing a high-profile client in a divorce case, the expectations are clear: strict confidentiality and a legal team dedicated to securing favourable results. Such cases typically involve significant financial stakes, require utmost discretion, and demand carefully crafted legal strategies.
These clients rarely pursue mediation, and even fewer opt for specialised therapeutic support especially not for themselves. Given their public status, lawyers must actively safeguard their privacy and shield them from relentless media attention.
Now, imagine a team assembled to support such a client and their entourage, but this particular client happens to be none other than Henry VIII!
Henry did not divorce his wives as the musical would lead us to believe; he annulled the marriages as any self-respecting occasional tyrant would. For this blog we are going to go with divorce not annulment. The implications of this marital breakdown were widespread causing civil and religious unrest. Imagine your heroic family lawyer dressed in breeches tied with a thong of leather and a puffed sleeved shirt (we all know who is vying for this gig!).
The mediator who’s task it is to calm the gossiping courtiers, not to mention the crumbling political alliances in order to bridge the divide that may cause widespread disharmony and not to mention civil unrest.
Then there is the therapist who specialises in relationship breakdowns, analysing unhelpful behaviour and supporting change while going through the grief of a lifestyle lost for both parties.
Naturally they are all members of Resolution and champion the Code of Practice!
The Code has revolutionised the practices and processes of family law, ensuring integrity, honesty and objectivity. No longer do family law professionals go to battle (to Henry’s dismay) rather they choose to take a non-confrontational approach. What does this mean for his lawyer who refuses to play ball with Henry?
The therapist wearing their garments adorned with slashes and jewels finished off with some Buddha stone bracelets and a traditional cardigan (😉) were known in the courts as ‘wise women’. As the therapist explored Henry’s sometimes misguided behaviour, specifically his penchant for beheading.
Deep diving into Henry’s unresolved childhood issues found him in a state of never before felt vulnerability
He reacts badly to this unfamiliar state and projects his wrath onto his lawyer, refusing to answer their emails and declining to fill in his Form E. He goes on the rampage and intentionally sabotages all the now fit-for-nothing mediator had done.
The divorce team meet to hatch a cunning plan to quell the situation and get this client back on task. Henry’s behaviour was out of control as was his temper. We often see clients who sabotage the progress of the divorce process as a last ditched attempt to take back control and sometimes to wage revenge on their soon to be ex. Remaining objective when the ‘other side’ (a now defunct term) is not compliant can try the best of us, however, adhering to the code serves to maintain ethical standards and so the lawyer practices deep breathing techniques they learned in a workshop on ‘Avoiding burnout’.
The team decide to give back the reins (pardon the pun) to Henry so he can suggest a way forward. Oliver Notwell from Goldcrown and Septre LLP looks beyond immediate emotions to secure long-term interests. Felicity Freespirit from Therapy Freestyle goes above and beyond to repair the rupture and Catherine Capability from Backbone Mediation Services forges bonds between waging courtiers once again.
Representing a high-profile client in a divorce can feel a bit like juggling flaming torches while walking a tightrope above a pool of hungry alligators: confidentiality is sacred, the legal team need nerves of steel and, every move must be planned precision of a chess grandmaster.
So, build a dream teams that understands the demands of high-profile or demanding clients, there are no medals for going this alone. Remember your worth and talent and that you will never have to work with a client who could shout, ‘OFF WITH THEIR HEAD!’
Lesley Edelstein
Occupational Wellness Practitioner, psychotherapist specialising in working with clients going through a breakup
