Express financial remedy procedure

Posted onJune 2, 2025

An exciting new pilot scheme that came into effect on the 7th April 2025 has the potential to halve the length of many financial disputes following divorce.

Currently, the legal procedure for contested financial remedy proceedings following divorce consists of three distinct stages, and it takes an astonishing 84 weeks on average to get to a final hearing.

However, since April, a pilot scheme under PD36ZH has been in effect in some areas of England for cases under £250,000. This scheme eliminates the first stage of proceedings and streamlines the process significantly. Most cases that are heard under this scheme are expected to conclude in 26 to 30 weeks.

This not only has the potential to accelerate the affected cases, but also to free up time for other hearings, accelerating every other case in the process.

While this pilot is currently not active in London or Greater London, if the scheme is successful we can expect a wide rollout across England and Wales, which we expect to significantly decrease the burden family courts are currently facing.

If you need any advice relating to efficient resolutions of financial disputes, get in touch with our Family Law team today.

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