The
Private
FDR
Group

Divorce is stressful. Resolving finances shouldn’t be.

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Financial remedy proceedings can be slow, emotionally draining and expensive. Waiting months for a court-listed FDR hearing can increase cost and pressure for everyone involved.

 

The Private FDR Group provides private Financial Dispute Resolution (pFDR) hearings at proportionate fixed fees. Our service offers concise, legally grounded written indications, and flexible in-person or hybrid delivery, helping parties reach settlement without the delay of a court-listed FDR.

 

Our fees start from £1,950 + VAT for a full-day hearing.

 

We offer prompt availability, clear expert evaluation, and a structured environment designed to help parties reach settlement sooner.

 

What is a private FDR?

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A private FDR is a form of early neutral evaluation.

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An experienced evaluator considers the papers, hears submissions from each side, and provides a clear written indication of the likely outcome if the matter were to proceed to trial. That indication is not binding, but it often provides the realistic framework needed to unlock settlement.

 

Unlike mediation, the evaluator gives a reasoned view on likely court outcomes.

 

Unlike a court-listed FDR, a private FDR can be arranged quickly and conducted over a full dedicated day.

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​How the hearing works

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In most cases:

• The parties and their lawyers attend in person (usually at a solicitor’s office or chambers)

• The evaluator joins remotely via secure video link or in person, depending on the needs of the case

 

This flexible approach preserves the effectiveness of face-to-face negotiation while allowing costs to remain proportionate.

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Who is it for?

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Our service is particularly suited to financial remedy cases involving matrimonial assets in the region of £500,000 to £3 million, where traditional private FDR fees may be disproportionate.

 

We are equally able to assist in higher-value matters where parties seek a focused, timely and cost-effective indication.

 

Private FDRs are especially helpful where:

• A court-listed FDR is many months away

• Parties are motivated to settle but need a realistic steer

• A full-day format is likely to assist negotiations

 

Experience and approach

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The Private FDR Group is led by Gary Howell, who has specialist financial remedy experience, is a member of Resolution, and currently holds a fee-paid judicial appointment in the Financial Remedies Court.

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All work through this service is carried out strictly in a private capacity.

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Our evaluations are grounded in established legal principles and reflect how courts in England and Wales approach financial remedy cases.

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We aim to provide:

• Clear, legally grounded indications

• A calm and structured settlement environment

• Efficient, proportionate hearings

• Practical support for meaningful negotiation

• A settlement-focused approach consistent with the principles of Resolution

 

A faster, more accessible route to settlement

 

Private FDRs remove the stress of waiting for a court date and provide clarity at a stage when it is most useful.

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By combining judicial insight, focused preparation and proportionate pricing, we aim to make private FDRs accessible to a far wider range of families while maintaining a high standard of evaluation.