What is the SSS?

Traditionally, couples each instruct their own solicitor. This 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, explains 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 It 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.

It 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.

How Does It Work?

We follow a clear, structured process that ensures fairness and transparency throughout:

  1. 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.
  2. 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, openness, and trust.
  3. Working Together to Reach 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.
  4. 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?

The SSS can be used to resolve a range of family law matters, including:

  1. Divorce and separation – guiding you through applications and procedure.
  2. Financial settlements – dealing with property, pensions, savings, debts and income.
  3. Children matters – agreeing living arrangements, child maintenance and specific issues, such as where a child goes to school.

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.

Your Key Contacts

Emily Hazell

Paralegal/Team Assistant

T: 0207 406 1030

E: EmilyHazell@cartercamerons.com

Emily is a dedicated paralegal and team assistant specialising in litigation.

With a first-class LLB in Law and plans to begin the SQE LLM soon, Emily has quickly made her mark since joining CLC in October 2022.

Originally from Llanelli, Wales, where she worked as a legal secretary, she relocated to London to further her career in civil litigation.

Emily now supports a wide range of litigation matters, from commercial and property disputes to international arbitration and family law, working closely with seasoned litigators and assisting with complex cases for our South African clients.

Areas of expertise:

Emily is skilled in handling various aspects of litigation and has gained valuable experience in:

  • Supporting cases across multiple areas of law, including commercial disputes, property issues, family matters, and international arbitration.
  • Assisting with high-stakes international cases involving loan agreements, contracts, and lengthy arbitration processes.
  • Providing support for sensitive family matters, such as divorce proceedings and child arrangement orders, with professionalism and empathy.
  • Working alongside senior litigators, including Seamus Smyth, and liaising with clients to ensure thorough case preparation and support.

When not working, Emily enjoys going for walks, cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She’s a fluent Welsh speaker and aims to master baking as her next skill.

Harley Osborn

Solicitor

T: 0207 406 1022

E: HarleyOsborn@cartercamerons.com

Harley joined Carter Lemon Camerons LLP in May 2024 as a Solicitor in the Litigation and Family department.

Her career in the legal industry began in 2019, where she gathered experience both in-house and in private practice. Over the years, she has dealt with a wide range of family matters and litigation disputes, including divorce, matrimonial finances, housing disputes, and landlord-tenant issues.

Harley earned her LPC and Master’s degree from BPP Law School, graduating with a Distinction in Family Law. She completed her solicitor training and qualified in May 2024.

Outside of work, Harley can be found spending time with her family and going on holiday.

Mike Davidson

Senior Associate Solicitor

T: 0207 406 1094

E: mikedavidson@cartercamerons.com

Mike joined our team as a Senior Associate Solicitor in our Family and Dispute Resolution Departments in 2023.

He is well-versed in all the key areas of family law, including divorce, matrimonial finance, child arrangement, and Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act (TOLATA) issues.

He is also a member of Resolution, which means he is dedicated to resolving disputes in a non-confrontational manner with other Family Lawyers.

Mike handles a variety of private family matters, such as:

  • Divorce and Separation;
  • Financial Disputes;
  • Matters related to Children (like child arrangements and financial provision for children);
  • Cohabitation Disputes;
  • Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements;
  • Injunctions (like applications for Occupation and Non-Molestation Orders).

We are glad to have Mike on our team, and we know his friendly, professional approach will be a big help for clients navigating their legal issues.