Gibraltar Family Lawyers

A Holistic Approach to Family Breakdown

Amber Law provides the following holistic legal and family services. To make an appointment please email amber@amberlaw.gi.

Reaching Separation and Financial Agreements

When a family breaks down, there is a lot that needs to be rebuilt. At times, clients may feel overwhelmed and need professional assistance in dealing with matters such as:

• How much contact a mother and father ought to have with their children;
• What happens on birthdays, New Year and other holidays;
• What level of spousal or child maintenance should be paid to the other parent (if any);
• Who stays in the former family home, or should it be sold;
• How will the spouse/ parent leaving the home be rehoused;
• How joint monies, investments and property ought to be shared

Reaching an early, fair and just agreement on all these issues helps reduce stress, anxiety and worry, and offers an opportunity to resolve conflict and restore relationships where possible and appropriate. It is also less stressful and cheaper than litigating such matters in Court.

Amber Law can support you in collaboratively creating a new life plan and pathway post separation and divorce which takes account of everyone affected by the family breakdown, not just the spouses, but any children and the extended family too, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

No-fault Divorces

The divorce laws in Gibraltar closely mirror those in England. In Gibraltar’s Matrimonial Causes Act, section 16, there is only one ground for divorce; namely that your marriage has broken down irretrievably. This means there is no possibility that you and your spouse can salvage the marriage.

Section 18 of the Act states that you must have been married for at least one year before you can petition for divorce, although there are some exceptions to this rule.

If there is a possibility that your marriage can still be worked at, that you are driving over a road bump rather than diving off a cliff edge, Amber Law offers a Client Well-being service offering support and guidance by external professionals who can assist you to work through misunderstandings and miscommunication towards a healthier more loving relationship.

Mediation

Mediation is a process where two or more people in conflict decide to ask for the support and guidance of an independent Mediator to assist in them clearing misunderstandings and building better communication towards resolving matters they cannot agree upon.

This option has an 80% success rate in the UK. It takes less time than court proceedings, is cheaper and empowers parties to make their own way towards an Agreement, rather than have final decisions affecting them, their families, employment or other significant matters affecting their lives, decided by a Judge and imposed on them by Court Order. In this way, Mediation is also less stressful and worrying than impending court battles. There is also opportunity to heal relationships and unite people.

Client Well-being

Amber Law offers a Client Well-being Network of professionals, associations, charities and trained volunteers who can offer continuing support and guidance in the areas of mental, emotional, physical, spiritual health, and family life.

Our holistic services includes assistance with access to educational opportunities, CV writing to find gainful employment and access to re/housing.

Courses

Separation and divorce not only affects the client but also all those with whom they share significant relationships.

Our Courses raise awareness about the causes and effects of family breakdown, why we have an individual and collective responsibility towards supporting those individuals affected, including their children, family, friends, work colleagues and employers and how to effectively do so.