Divorcing providersON-LINE ADVICE: complex issues 'not provided for'The Solicitors Family Law Association (SFLA) this week hit out at on-line divorce providers, saying the service fails to deal with the complex issues of children and finances.Although SFLA member William Longrigg, of London firm Charles Russell, accepted the Internet was useful for background information, he said it was no substitute for 'the human touch'.'The Internet is great for getting information and finding out about services but it is not suitable for untangling the complexities of child welfare and asset splitting on marriage breakdown,' he said, adding that solicitors provide much-needed explanation, advice and support.Chris Miller, legal content director for Desktop Lawyer - which has sold around 2,600 on-line divorce packages since July 1999 - said the service was aimed only at the latent market of people who would get the forms from court and fill them in at home without going to a lawyer.

Mr Miller added that the service's telephone support line would always refer clients to seek legal advice where matters were complex.Andrew Woolley, senior partner of Woolley & Co which sells do-it-yourself divorce packages on compact disc through its Web site, said it was 'condescending of lawyers to tell people where they should do something which was so important in their lives'.However, he accepted that it was right that complicated matters like children and finances were 'better dealt with by discussion.'Sue Allen