Brighton: Successfully renegotiating a rejected financial settlement

What happened when the court raised concerns

Even where both parties have agreed a financial settlement, the court will not approve it if the outcome appears unfair. In this case, that meant the original agreement could not move forward as it stood, and a revised settlement was needed.

Gemma Thew, a Team Leader Partner at our Brighton office, took on the case by reviewing the original agreement in detail and identifying the concerns that had led to the court’s decision. That analysis was key to advising the client clearly and shaping a more balanced proposal.

Gemma then renegotiated the settlement on the client’s behalf. With direct communication between the parties having broken down, this required a careful approach as well as a clear understanding of what would constitute a fairer outcome. The revised agreement better reflected the client’s position and addressed the issues the court had previously identified.

Once submitted, the renegotiated settlement was approved by the court. Our client achieved a better financial outcome than the original agreement would have provided, with the added certainty of a binding court order that brought the financial aspects of the matter to a proper conclusion.

Gemma said:

“Negotiating a financial settlement can feel daunting particularly as you navigate so many practical, financial and emotional factors. Having a solicitor who can guide you on the law, explain what is possible and fair can help to reduce that stress and provide you with confidence at a time you may feel overwhelmed.”