First major study into One Couple One Lawyer services heralds good news for divorcing families

A new report from the University of Warwick has confirmed what many separating couples already know: the One Couple One Lawyer model works. The study, led by Associate Professor Dr Rachael Blakey, is the first of its kind to evaluate this approach in England and Wales.

The findings are based on qualitative interviews with 24 family lawyers who currently use the one-lawyer-two-clients format. Dr Blakey concluded that the model “can be highly effective in facilitating an agreement between certain divorcing or separating couples.”

The report highlights several key benefits of this approach:

• High settlement success rate

• High levels of client satisfaction

• Effective across different income levels

With the recent introduction of no-fault divorce in England and Wales, the One Couple One Lawyer model has become increasingly relevant. It offers a more accessible, affordable alternative to traditional adversarial proceedings, without sacrificing legal quality or fairness.

The study was funded by the University of Warwick and represents the first empirical evidence supporting this format of legal service delivery. It confirms that when both parties want a constructive outcome, sharing a lawyer can be a sensible, dignified option.

The Full Report and Executive Summary are now available via the University of Warwick website.