Act needs to change to ease the pain of going through a divorce

The introduction of Alternative Business Structures (ABSs). It is a complete shake-up of the legal industry.

What law would you like to see changed?

The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 governs divorce, and provides that couples who want to get divorced before they have been separated for at least two years must effectively “point the finger” at the other party by citing either adultery or “unreasonable behaviour” as the reason for wanting a divorce.

In practice, the courts have adopted a fairly subjective approach to what constitutes unreasonable behaviour, but it still requires one party to say negative things about the other.

This doesn’t assist in resolving matters amicably.

What is the most exciting work you have ever done?

I represented a client whose spouse had been convicted of stealing £3m from their employer.

My client was innocent of any crimes and had no knowledge of what their spouse had been up to.

The employer issued a claim under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to ‘trace’ the stolen money and recover it out of the assets held of not only the guilty party but my client as well.

This would have left my client destitute.

I was able to successfully obtain a significant award for my client.

Who in the legal world do you most admire?

Lawyers in countries where there is the very real risk they may be murdered or imprisoned for doing their jobs.

What advice would you give someone starting out in the profession?

Be sure it’s what you want to do and don’t give up.