New legislation makes Spencer’s see sense

What a shame that it has taken the existence of the new legislation regarding the attendance of the Press at family court hearings to convince Earl and Countess Spencer that a sensible way of resolving their differences is through agreement. It is clear from the reports in the Press that they were prepared to battle out their differences in what would have been an expensive and acrimonious trial of issues had it not been for Mr. Justice Munby’s ruling that that battle could be reported in the Press. Perhaps he had the insight to realise that those with significantly more assets and fame would so often rather fight on point principle at great cost than achieve the amicable settlements that would generally serve both them and their children in the future.

Another option
What has not been changed by the new legislation is the procedure available in all applications for financial settlement to achieve a negotiated settlement with the help of a judge, at a hearing called a Financial Dispute Resolution hearing. This is not an open court hearing, it cannot be reported and it is by far the fairest and most successful way of settling differences. Indeed, it is heartening to read that the Earl and Countess Spencer have managed to compromise their differences in a settlement which has remained private to them which will undoubtedly serve them in the future. Achieving such a settlement is something we always strive for at Pannone.