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I have to say, going (as I am) through a horrible divorce at present, it is refreshing to learn that someone believes that the Court process needs radical reform.

In my view the Courts are entirely the wrong forum for settling a dispute between two former lovers and life partners. Especially when this process can be so easily exploited to the financial gain of unscrupulous family lawyers who are no better than "muggers" who give our profession a very bad name.

In my case the barrister on the other side had the audacity to stand up and argue - in Court - that the settlement should be grossly weighted against one party as (and I quote) [the mother] will die soon and [that party is] set to inherit money. Really, how do you know when someone will die?, or indeed what their will says (have they never heard of the RSPCA?), or indeed whether their assets will be taken by the testator's long term care needs? Disgraceful.

After spending £100,000, all we have to show for it is a "Decree Nisi", which was agreed between the parties in any event prior to the Court becoming involved.

Clearly a brand new approach is needed.

I would suggest a Family Tribunal, French style, with investigative powers, comprising three members: a family lawyer (so that legal knowledge is incorporated): an accountant (to check what and where the assets are); and (say) a doctor - to add some compassion/balance.

These 3 would have as much time as they needed to investigate the facts, with the power to demand compliance, and then make a binding decision as to how things should be decided.

In my own case, even on fast track, I have been informed that I have to wait 9 months between Court hearings, because the family court is jammed full with divorces. This in a case where the children issues were agreed between the parties before the divorce process began - so it has become reduced to an argument between two people in emotive circumstances over the division of capital assets. With 9 month gaps between submissions. At a cost of over £20,000 per day in Court.

Unbelievable...