1Lawyer 1Couple
For couples seeking an amicable and cost-effective divorce.
What is 1L 1C ?
A Fresh Approach
In 2020 a law was passed enabling couples seeking a ‘no fault’ divorce to appoint a single, impartial lawyer to jointly handle their case.
This lawyer is motivated by the best interests of each party and of the family as a whole. This model, driven by transparency, cooperation and collaboration has come to be known as the ‘1Lawyer 1Couple’ approach to divorce.
How does it work ?
Joint Representation
One lawyer works for both partners jointly, helping navigate the legal and practical aspects of separating their lives – namely children & finances – without adding the adversarial and costly nature of traditional divorce lawyers.
Comprehensive Divorce Management
The same lawyer oversees the day-to-day aspects of the divorce, ensuring that both parties have their concerns addressed efficiently and fairly.
Single Point of Contact
They serve as the primary liaison with all third parties, including barristers, accountants and other experts, reducing the complexity and stress often associated with divorce proceedings.
Legal Guidance
They will facilitate mediated advice, handling the drafting of instructions, court documentation, formal agreements and obtaining specialist legal advice if required.
Flexible and Transparent Fee Structure
Services begin with an initial retainer, followed by an hourly rate for ongoing work and fixed fees are possible.
Why use 1L 1C ?
Family First
Nothing seems more pertinent to divorcing couples than the wellbeing of their children. Using the 1L 1C model, each spouse is working together in full transparency to carve a new path forward.
This offers the highest chance of emerging from the process with a workable family system still in tact. All parties are motivated to achieve harmony and resolution.
Financial Preservation
Fees fall well below traditional law firm levels and by instructing only one lawyer, you only pay once. Transparent fee structures (initial retainer + hourly rate) and clear terms are provided. Fixed fees are possible.
Time Saved
Court proceedings with no end in sight are depleting at best, but more likely destructive and harmful. 1L 1C shortens the process by stripping it back to only what is absolutely necessary.
Get to the place of resolution faster than if legal wrangling and endless paper work were holding things up.
Simplicity and Peace of Mind
Your lawyer acts as a single point of contact, meaning you only deal with him. At his fingertips he has a leading KC from a top family set, a financial dispute resolution (FDR) judge, top class mediators, forensic accountants and tax professionals.
Everything will be taken care of for you, and only as needed.
Clear Conscience
Forging a new path together creates a positive ripple effect on everyone around you.
You will be able to sleep at night knowing you’ve done everything you can to achieve harmony rather than chaos. It’s possible you might even inspire your friends to ‘divorce better’.
Nothing is Wasted
The only thing standing in the way of resolution using 1L 1C will be disagreements that can’t be resolved out of court or safeguarding issues (see FAQ). There are layers of mediation to be worked through before taking that step and any work completed at this stage can be passed on to subsequent lawyers if need be.
No money or time spent will be wasted, meaning you have nothing to lose by trying 1L 1C first.
Marcus Rickard is an experienced barrister of exceptional calibre. Marked by his extensive knowledge of the legal system and down to earth nature, he utilises the ‘1Lawyer 1Couple’ approach for couples seeking an amicable path forward in their divorce.
His extended barrister’s practicing certificate permits him to be instructed directly as both legal advisor and gatekeeper, effectively acting as the couple’s sole solicitor throughout divorce proceedings.
Marcus has lived the divorce process himself and now maintains a great relationship with his ex-wife and the two teenage sons they share. Based in South-West London, Marcus enjoys a number of sports including rugby, cricket and golf and to date has raised over £250,000 on challenges including the notorious Marathon Des Sables and summiting Aconcagua.
Marcus Rickard
Marcus Rickard is an experienced barrister of exceptional calibre. Marked by his extensive knowledge of the legal system and down to earth nature, he utilises the ‘1Lawyer 1Couple’ approach for couples seeking an amicable path forward in their divorce.
His extended barrister’s practicing certificate permits him to be instructed directly as both legal advisor and gatekeeper, effectively acting as the couple’s sole solicitor throughout divorce proceedings.
Marcus has lived the divorce process himself and now maintains a great relationship with his ex-wife and the two teenage sons they share. Based in South-West London, Marcus enjoys a number of sports including rugby, cricket and golf and to date has raised over £250,000 on challenges including the notorious Marathon Des Sables and summiting Aconcagua.
Marcus Rickard
Marcus Rickard is an experienced barrister of exceptional calibre. Marked by his extensive knowledge of the legal system and down to earth nature, he utilises the ‘1Lawyer 1Couple’ approach for couples seeking an amicable path forward in their divorce.
His extended barrister’s practicing certificate permits him to be instructed directly as both legal advisor and gatekeeper, effectively acting as the couple’s sole solicitor throughout divorce proceedings.
Marcus has lived the divorce process himself and now maintains a great relationship with his ex-wife and the two teenage sons they share. Based in South-West London, Marcus enjoys a number of sports including rugby, cricket and golf and to date has raised over £250,000 on challenges including the notorious Marathon Des Sables and summiting Aconcagua.
What couples have said
Frequently Asked Questions
How do we choose the best service for our needs?
What’s important is that you get the best, most up to date legal advice, which ultimately allows you and your spouse to reach an outcome that works for you. It is possible to tailor who is involved at each stage, so you engage only with the most relevant professionals along the way.
Marcus will outline the different ways available to navigate divorce and help you come to an agreement about the most appropriate pathway for you and your family.
What might make our case unsuitable for the 1L 1C model?
Your case may be unsuitable if:
1. There are safeguarding issues involved. For example:
- There is, has been or may be concerns about a past or ongoing abusive relationship.
- There is or remains a high level of emotion, conflict, or a significant risk of conflict.
- There is a significant imbalance of power between individuals.
- Either client is under any duress, disadvantage or may lack capacity (of any kind) to take part fully and freely.
- There is any actual or perceived concern that either or both clients may be involved in, or be considering or planning or may have committed, an unlawful act or activity.
2. There are known problems that cannot be resolved outside of court. For example:
- Extensive legal complexity that cannot be appropriately addressed consensually.
- A reluctance to provide the required factual or financial disclosure, or there is a need to protect one or both individuals and/or any child of the family.
If you are unsure, Marcus can work with you to decide the most appropriate way forward. Either way, any work that Marcus completes for you is transferable to any legal setting.
What is ‘first legal advice’?
Most people are concerned to know what the law says about their situation if they decide to separate or divorce. Many solicitors offer an opportunity to come singly or together to get some initial, impartial information about how you might go about navigating things from a legal perspective.
‘First advice’ equips you in making decisions about the best way to find resolution. Marcus can offer this first advice.
What can we do for ourselves?
There are elements of starting towards managing your separation or divorce that you can do for yourselves.
Choosing to get some first legal advice is a good way to learn about the range of services and professionals available to you.
What is mediation?
Mediation is an informal way of reaching agreements about the future. Mediators help you decide together what is important and will facilitate finding workable solutions. They will act in a neutral, even-handed way to assist you in resolving any conflicts of interest that may arise. Mediation is flexible and can be designed in a range of ways to meet your needs.
Mediators can provide you with information, including information about the principles of the law. They are able to highlight when it might be necessary to have individual legal advice, especially once you have reached a set of proposals and would like to turn them into a legally binding agreement.
Child inclusive mediators are trained to talk with children and young people directly. They will help them share their perspectives, decide what they would like their parents to consider and support them in communicating these effectively.
How is using a mediator different to using the 1L 1C model?
Often a mediator is a third person when each spouse has instructed their own solicitor. With 1L 1C, Marcus can act as solicitor to both parties as well as mediator.
Can Marcus act as our mediator?
What does working collaboratively mean?
It means working together rather than against each other. It means taking into account the wants and needs of each person, including those of any children.
Traditionally divorce proceedings have been argued by opposing solicitors who are financially motivated to be contentious and opaque, whilst only taking into account the fee payer’s wants and needs.
By using the 1L 1C framework you, your spouse and children can all come together collaboratively to find a way forward.