Using AI to automate, simplify and reduce the cost of financial disclosure on divorce

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

There is currently a pandemic. But couples are still separating, divorcing, and in need of legal advice. The Divorce Surgery's project is to enable simpler, easier access to its digitised, AI-enabled, One Couple One Lawyer family law service, helping couples who otherwise would have limited access to legal advice or the Courts.Covid-19 has had a profound impact on the operation of Family Justice. The Family Court is having to focus on urgent child protection cases meaning that for the vast majority of divorcing couples, cases involving the division of their finances or arrangements for their children are routinely delayed. The Family Court is urging couples to access court only as a genuine last resort.The Divorce Surgery is unique and has won numerous awards for innovation. We are the only business in the country offering joint legal advice from one specialist impartial family lawyer to a couple together. We are regulated by the Bar Standards Board. The major benefit of our service is an increased likelihood of earlier settlement, bringing with it reduced acrimony, better outcomes for children, quicker timescales and much reduced legal costs. As Family Judges regularly point out, reducing the burden on the Courts by promoting early settlement is essential to the proper functioning of Family Justice.We now offer a completely remote service which combines AI technology and video link legal advice. This is particularly suited to separating couples at the moment, many of whom are stranded without access to the Family Court or legal advice.Our service takes only 6-8 weeks for a fixed fee and provides a lifeline for couples separating during the pandemic. Innovate UK funding would enable us to make the service even better however, by fully automating the process by which couples exchange their financial information.