Consent Order
A very high proportion (over 80%) of cases are settled by consent either at the Court door or as a result of negotiation in correspondence between the parties and their legal representatives.
If both parties agree on the terms of a draft Order it is unnecessary for either of them to attend Court. The agreed terms are signed by both parties and sent in to the Court for the Judge's approval together with a "Statement of Financial Information" containing a summary of each party's income and capital.
The Judge looks at that summary and if he/she thinks that the Order is a fair one he/she will approve it's terms. If he/she is unhappy about any aspect of it he/she can refuse to make the Order, ask for further details or call the parties in to explain their reasons for wanting the Order in a particular form. There is a Court fee payable of £40 on the application for a consent order.