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Single Solicitor Service (SSS)
Traditionally, each person in a relationship instructs their own solicitor during the divorce process, which can sometimes lead to high costs, delays and unnecessary conflict.
Our SSS takes a different approach. Instead of each party instructing their own solicitor, which can lead to a more confrontational process, you and your partner will work with an impartial Carter Lemon Camerons (CLC) solicitor, who will guide both of you through the process, explain your legal options and help you reach a fair and workable agreement together taking into account all of the circumstances of your case.
Why might our SSS be right for you?
The SSS approach may be suitable if:
- You and your partner already have an agreed position or are close to one.
- You and your partner want to resolve matters amicably and constructively.
- You are keen to save time, stress and legal fees.
- You prefer a clear, straightforward process without drawn-out disputes.
The SSS may not be appropriate where there are safeguarding concerns, domestic abuse, a significant imbalance of power or if one party is unwilling to co-operate.
If you are not sure whether this approach could work for you, speak to our experts in London who can advise you on your options.
How does the SSS work?
We follow a clear, structured process that ensures fairness and transparency throughout:
- Initial intake consultation – Each of you meets with us separately at the start. This allows us to understand your circumstances and confirm whether the SSS is right for you. No legal advice will be provided to either party at the initial intake consultation.
- Joint advice and discussions – All legal advice is given jointly, either in meetings attended by both parties or in email correspondence sent to both parties. You will never meet with the solicitor one-to-one after the initial intake. This approach ensures neutrality, transparency, and trust.
- Working together to reach an agreement – We will guide you both through your options, explain the legal framework and help you reach practical solutions on finances, children matters or other issues.
- Drafting agreements – Once an agreement is reached, we prepare the necessary documents to formalise your arrangements. These can then be lodged with the court where required, giving you a binding and enforceable outcome.
What issues can be covered with a single solicitor service?
The SSS can be used to resolve a range of family law matters, including:
- Divorce and separation – guiding you through applications and procedure.
- Financial settlements – dealing with property, pensions, savings, debts and income.
- Children matters – agreeing on living arrangements, child maintenance and specific issues, such as where a child goes to school and holiday arrangements.
To understand more about which family matters this service can support, contact our experts to discuss how we can help you.
Step 02
Call
Our Solicitors will explain the pertinent points of law with you, what your obligations are, whether a single solicitor service is right for you, and costs and timelines.
Step 03
Sign
The engagement letter and we'll get to work on your single solicitor service.
Benefits of the SSS
- Cost-effective – one solicitor for both parties means significantly reduced legal fees.
- Efficient – avoids lengthy correspondence between two sets of lawyers.
- Collaborative – reduces hostility and helps preserve relationships.
- Child-focused – keeps children’s best interests at the centre.
- Practical – gives you clarity, guidance, and legally binding solutions.
Take the next step
Please contact Mike Davidson to find out whether the single solicitor approach might be the right option for you.
Hear from our clients:
They’re good people to deal with. Despite the size of firm, I have been pleased that there is still a personal approach to what they do. Obviously it’s important for a solicitor to be professional and flexible and I’ve found that they are, but I’ve always thought that it’s very important that they’re friendly and easy to deal with as well.
Robert Tizzard – Manual Investing Ltd
Extremely professional, knowledgeable and honest advice. Relaxed and approachable service throughout in assisting Us to create our Will. We would highly recommend this Firm.
Hinna Masud
Single Solicitor Service FAQs
Will either party receive separate legal advice with the Single Solicitor Service?
No. When you use our Single Solicitor Service, the solicitor does not provide separate advice to either individual.
All communication from the solicitor is shared with both parties at the same time, whether this takes place in meetings, phone calls, or by email.
If at any point either person feels they need independent legal advice, they may choose to instruct their own solicitor separately. In that situation, the Single Solicitor Service would normally come to an end.
What is the difference between the Single Solicitor Service and mediation?
Both services aim to help couples reach an agreement constructively and cooperatively. However, there are important differences.
In mediation, you meet with a trained mediator who helps guide discussions and assist you in reaching an agreement. Even if the mediator is also a qualified family solicitor, they cannot give legal advice to either party and they cannot draft the legal documents needed to formalise your agreement.
Once mediation has concluded and an agreement has been reached, you will usually need to instruct a solicitor to prepare the legal documents and complete the court process.
With the Single Solicitor Service, the solicitor works with both of you together to help you reach an agreement and can also prepare the legal documents required to formalise that agreement with the court.
Is the Single Solicitor Service suitable for every couple?
The SSS is usually most suitable for couples who are willing to work together and want to reach a mutual agreement.
Both individuals must be comfortable discussing matters openly and working towards a fair outcome. The service may not be appropriate where there is significant conflict, a lack of trust between the parties or where either person prefers to receive independent legal advice throughout the process.
If you are unsure whether the service is right for your situation, a solicitor can discuss your circumstances and help you decide on the most appropriate approach.
What happens if we cannot reach an agreement?
The aim of the Single Solicitor Service is to help both parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, the solicitor cannot continue to act for either of you individually.
At that stage, both parties would usually need to instruct their own separate solicitors to continue discussions or resolve matters through another process.
Is the Single Solicitor Service more cost-effective than instructing two solicitors?
In many cases, the SSS can be a more cost-effective option than each party instructing their own solicitor, as both parties work with the same solicitor, resulting in a more streamlined process with fewer duplications.
This can help reduce the overall time and legal costs involved in reaching and formalising an agreement.
However, the exact cost will depend on the complexity of your situation and the issues to be resolved.
