Knowledge and resources

The Code of Practice and recently updated Good Practice Guides help us put our values into action. They can also help us navigate challenging areas and reduce the likelihood of receiving complaints

This document is not an abstract set of ideals, but thoroughly rooted in the issues we and our clients face every day

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.

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.

In reality all family law clients should be considered as vulnerable, they are usually in a state of heightened emotion when they first meet with their lawyer, and we are usually asking them to explain very personal and upsetting matters with someone they have not met before. There are of course very different degrees of vulnerability and how best to support and assist our clients can be an area of concern and confusion, particularly to less experienced practitioners. This guide is designed to set out some best practice guidance on working together with vulnerable clients.

The Guides to Good Practice build on the Code of Practice by developing the ethos behind it into areas of practice. This guide focuses on referrals to contact centres and the best practice needed in these cases.

When they join, members sign up to a Code of Practice. It is about the approach we take to our work whether as family lawyers in private or public law matters, as litigators, collaborative practitioners, mediators, or as negotiators or arbitrators; in therapeutic and supporting services to separating families or as financial professionals and sets out the principles our members work to.

This Ethics Statement strengthens the Code of Practice, by supporting members to work to best practice standards and providing the basis on which innovative practice can be built, whatever the area of practice. 

Social media can be a useful tool for family solicitors to connect with the public and other professionals, publicise campaigns, raise the profile of members and communicate about the work we do. As it can potentially reach a wide audience, we must be careful about how our use of social media impacts on our client-related work.

Resolution's members follow a Code of Practice that promotes a constructive approach to family issues and considers the needs of the whole family.

When you joined Resolution you signed up to the Code of Practice. The Code is the cornerstone of Resolution membership, and is widely accepted and referred to in a number of reported cases.

Resolution members commit to a Code of Practice that promotes a constructive approach to family issues and considers the needs of the whole family, in particular the best interests of children.