We recognise that clients demand specialist knowledge from barristers who are technically astute, excellent in court and aware of wider commercial issues and personable.
We recognise that clients demand specialist knowledge from barristers who are technically astute, excellent in court and aware of wider commercial issues and personable.
Non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) covers the routes to settlement that sit outside the court process.
Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR), also commonly known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), provides ways for families to resolve disagreements without the need for a traditional court hearing.
Whether the dispute concerns financial arrangements following divorce or separation, property or arrangements for children, NCDR can offer a more flexible, private and efficient alternative to court proceedings.
At St Philips Chambers, our specialist Family NCDR team provides independent expertise through Private Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) hearings and Family Arbitration, helping parties work towards a settlement or obtain a binding decision.
These processes give parties greater control over how and when their dispute is resolved, with the ability to select an experienced specialist and arrange proceedings at a convenient time and location.
Members of the Family NCDR group:
sit as private Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) evaluators in financial remedy and cohabitation disputes
are qualified family arbitrators under the IFLA schemes
sit in the Courts as Recorders and Deputy District Judges
are regularly instructed as counsel for parties at private FDRs, arbitrations and mediations across England and Wales
"St Philips' Family Law Group are regularly in the most complex care cases, private law children cases and financial remedy cases in the Midlands." Chambers & Partners 2026
Private FDR A hearing before an evaluator the parties choose, replacing the court's own FDR appointment
Family Arbitration A binding decision on finances or children, made by an arbitrator the parties appoint
Private FDR
A private FDR serves to replace a traditional court FDR, on a date of the parties’ choice, before a specialist evaluator who has been selected by the parties.
The parties jointly appoint a specialist financial remedy barrister to sit as the evaluator, often described as a private FDR judge. The evaluator will read the bundle in detail in advance, hear submissions from each side, and give a reasoned indication of what the court would be likely to order at a final hearing (normally orally and in writing). The rest of the day is then available for negotiation, with the evaluator on hand if the parties require further assistance. The process is flexible and more bespoke procedures can be provided if agreed by both parties.
Private FDR Evaluators
At St Philips we have a highly regarded team of specialist Family Finance practitioners who regularly accept joint instructions to act as Private FDR Evaluators. The breadth and depth of the team enable us to offer this service for matters ranging from those involving more modest assets up to the most complex High Net Worth cases.
We have divided our NCDR team into Private FDR Evaluators and Junior Private FDR Evaluators to reflect our offering across the entire Family Finance spectrum and in recognition of the requirement to provide a more accessible service for cases where funds are more limited but the issues are no less important to parties involved in proceedings. All our Private FDR Evaluators can also be instructed to provide an Early Neutral Evaluation service.
Private FDR Evaluators
Junior Private FDR Evaluators
Family Arbitration
Arbitration is a form of NCDR that produces a binding decision. It suits cases where the parties want the dispute determined, but not by the court.
Arbitration under the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators schemes operates within the Arbitration Act 1996. The Financial Scheme covers financial remedy disputes, including TOLATA, Schedule 1 and Inheritance Act claims. The Children Scheme covers private law disputes about children, including living arrangements, schooling, holidays and relocation within England and Wales.
Family Arbitrators
Facilities
Private FDRs, arbitrations and mediations can be held at our Birmingham chambers at 55 Temple Row, with separate rooms for each party and their advisers for the whole day.
A significant benefit of NCDR as opposed to the traditional court process is that the proceedings take place in a more comfortable, private setting with refreshments provided throughout the day. The entire process is tailored to try and put parties at ease as much as possible given the emotive nature of family law disputes.
We can also arrange for hearings to take place remotely, or at a venue chosen by the parties, and can put special measures in place so that the parties do not come into contact with each other.
Our Non-Court Dispute Resolution – Family Barristers:
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