Family Law Advice on Intervenor Claims

If you find yourself in a situation whereby you are involved within proceedings indirectly you will often be referred to through the Court process as an ‘Intervenor’. Intervenors at face value will have no direct involvement with the case although may be important to its overall resolution. Intervenor cases typically occur in the following circumstances.

  • Divorce – where one party has an interest in property or money that is available for distribution between the parties involved;
  • Cohabitant disputes – where one party have an interest in property or money that is subject to one parties claim;
  • Children – where it may be alleged that you are a risk to a child or are one of a number of persons who may be responsible for an injury to a child.

At Ison Harrison we have a wealth of experience in representing clients who are intervenors. Please speak with one of our dedicated family Solicitors who will be happy to assist you and provide you with bespoke legal advice, to allow you to make an informed choice of how you wish to proceed.

Some important facts you need to be aware of:

  • If you are aware of an ongoing dispute in relation to property that may considered to be yours, please contact us in the first instance. Whilst often, if Court proceedings are issued, the Court will turn their attention to the same, there is no guarantee the Court will and this can be often overlooked unless either party draws it to the Courts’ attention.
  • Time is of the essence. This area of law is often heavily based on documentary evidence. Act quickly to ensure that all possible evidence is obtained before it is destroyed.
  • Often it is important to instruct your own Solicitors to ensure any claims that you have are pursued and your voice within any proceedings is not lost. This of course should be carefully balanced against the costs of instructing Solicitors as often, if your case aligns with one party’s within the proceedings, you may be able to support their case by acting as a witness.
  • In children proceedings, if you do not engage with the directions of the Court and do not intervene when given the opportunity to do so, findings can be made in your absence. These findings can have far reaching consequences.
  • If the Court does not invite you to intervene, there is a set procedure for doing so. It is important to intervene in the right manner to ensure that the Court will allow you to do so, as well as setting your case off on the right footing.