As this extraordinary year draws to a close, it is fair to say that 2020 will be remembered in the family law world as the year that changed everything. Many family lawyers have had no choice but to adjust to completely new ways of working and the Family Court has had to take steps to ensure that the same access to justice is maintained through remote means, where possible.
The pandemic forced us all to review the way in which we lead our everyday lives overnight. For many family lawyers, this has meant ‘stepping outside the box’ and reducing our carbon footprint by putting down the countless files of paper and learning to e-work. For the Family Court, this has meant accepting more applications online and facilitating more hearings by telephone or video link. Whilst there have been inevitable setbacks and it has not been easy (to say the least!), the Family Court system has adapted well.
At Townsend Family Law, we are really proud of how we adapted our own systems and approach to ensure our clients remained supported and our service uninterrupted. We have the facilities in place to ensure that all our clients can expect the same quality service, despite these unusual times. Not being able to offer clients a welcoming and reassuring face to face meeting in the office has been particularly hard for us because we know how much that means to clients especially new and very vulnerable clients and we look forward to a return to normality next year. We have missed not being together as a team in the office. Catch ups with colleagues over Zoom is not the same as an impromptu break out of laughter and chatter that is so special to office life.
A vaccine has brought us hope that a return to a normal life is within grasp. We just have to be patient and avoid taking any risks that would place ourselves and our loved ones in danger.
The Townsend team are sending you our very best wishes for a safe Christmas and we wish you the happiest of New Years.
