Many of the adverse effects of lockdown have been well documented throughout the pandemic, such as the financial implications on individuals and businesses alike, as well as reduced social contact leading to a rise in demand for mental health services.
One thing that has gone under the radar is the rise in cases of domestic violence. Lockdown has forced people to remain locked inside with their abusers; with 75% of victims finding it harder to escape their abuser due to the pandemic, and 72% saying their abuser has gained more control over their life since the spread of Covid-19. As a result, our mediators and family team have been required more than ever.
You may wish to try mediation with a partner to see if you can agree on matters without having to go to court. This can all now be done virtually via zoom, with the same benefits as mediating in different rooms, without putting anyone at risk. Mediation gives you more control over proceedings, is generally quicker and more cost efficient than going to court. It is a voluntary process, but it is usually mandatory before any court proceedings can be issued. It is usually effective and can aid in making a split more amicable, but we can advise you as to whether it is the best course of action to pursue, or the steps to take if you think mediation is not viable for your situation.
Multiple lockdowns have caused the courts to slow down as they try to adjust to the new normal and attempt to clear an ever-growing backlog. As with every other sector, the court has suffered a shortfall of staff, meaning less people are required to do more work. With the staff they do have often working from home, their effectiveness has been limited.
To combat this, virtual meetings and court hearings have become commonplace, with parties capable of being at other ends of the country still able to attend the same meeting safely and efficiently. Many documents are now submitted electronically to prevent physical copies being handled by numerous people. If you are unable to submit a document electronically, it is possible for you to drop them off at our office, contact free, ensuring everyone’s safety.
The pandemic has forced the court to rapidly modernise and embrace technology like never before. For an institution built upon precedent and tradition, such rapid and wide scale change is almost revolutionary. Many of these changes are welcome, for example electronic submissions save time as you no longer need to wait days for documents to arrive in the post. Virtual meetings/hearings mean abusers and victims are not in close proximity to each other, which in certain circumstances is often desired.
If you need help resolving family issues for example (but not limited to) a divorce or custodial arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact us with a query and we endeavour to aid you as best we can. Our Family solicitors and directors are Cherise Luke-Bennett, who can be contacted on 01305 771000 (Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester) and Carolyn Harmer, Bridport and Dorchester.
If the help you require is more urgent or you, or someone else’s safety is at risk, please consider contacting the emergency services on 999 or 101, or alternatively visit/contact https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ or 0808 2000 247.
