What is a private financial dispute resolution hearing?

A private financial dispute resolution (FDR) hearing is a simple concept. The parties pay for a financial remedy specialist to act as a private FDR judge. That person may be a solicitor, barrister or retired judge. No additional qualification is required. The private FDR takes place at a time convenient to the parties, usually in solicitors’ offices or barristers’ chambers, and a full day is normally set aside to maximise the prospects of settlement. It takes the place of the in-court FDR. 

Parties choose to temporarily opt out of the court process and timetable and arrange a private FDR in lieu of a court FDR.