FAMILY VALUES — AN ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE IN


12 SEPTEMBER 2022 The changing landscape of divorce


Vandana Chitroda, Partner and Head of Family Law at London law firm RIAA Barker Gillette, explains how divorce is evolving to meet modern demands and synchronise with the way people want to end relationships


RIAA Barker Gillette


works with experts and professionals to achieve the best


result for its clients, in a friendly and


non-confrontational manner.


Te first thing most clients tell RIAA Barker Gillette is that they don’t want to go to court. Te good news is that they don’t have to. Now, more than ever, lawyers are coming up with innovative ways to assist their clients in reaching an amicable financial settlement, particularly since the introduction of ‘no-fault’ divorce in April of this year. Kitchen table arguments are no


longer spilling into lobbies of court buildings and it’s no longer the norm for the court to decide divorce settlements. It’s still possible, however, for both parties to have their fair slice of the cake. Clients want their lawyers to have


a human touch and guide them through negotiations and processes amicably and to combine expertise with empathy. Divorcing on an amicable footing


will inevitably help clients’ mental health and help them maintain a peaceful relationship with their ex, which is particularly important when they need to co-parent chil- dren moving forward. Te family lawyers at RIAA Barker Gillette recognise this and have adopted several methods to help clients reach


an agreement. Clients usually prefer to settle out of court, so the team tries their best to negotiate a settle- ment first. Arbitration and early eval- uations of a couple’s finances by a neutral private judge are rising. Many mediators now qualify as psycho- therapists to help people reach finan- cial settlements with the benefit of therapeutic understanding. Divorce coaches can help clients navigate their relationship through the legal process and solicitors are starting to use methods to advise both the husband and wife, and negotiate a settlement jointly, where there are no conflict-of-interest issues.


New families & healthcare 25


VANDANA CHITRODA Contact Vandana Chitroda to learn more about the


changing landscape of divorce and how RIAA Barker Gillette can help. Visit: riaabarkergillette.com/uk/our-expertise/ for-individuals/family-law


An expert in orthopaedic spine surgery Ben Okafor is a senior consultant in orthopaedic spine surgery at Barts Health, London


Having been actively engaged in complex spine surgery for over 30 years, Ben Okafor has unique experience in the treatment of spine conditions, including cervical spine diseases. He applies his expertise to many conditions, including lumbar spine, neck pain, lower-back pain, scoliosis, spinal surgery, slipped discs, sciatica, degenerative spine disorders, spinal injury, disc replacement, back pain, spine fracture, spinal injections, decompressions, discectomies, cervical spine surgery, kyphoplasty, spine fusions, spine reconstructions and disc replacements. Ben Okafor has undergone


comprehensive and rigorous medical and surgical


training, initially at


St Bartholomew’s Medical College at the University of London, as well as postgraduate training in the UK and overseas centres, including spine fellowship training, which has been an important part of providing insight and expertise in his clinical practice.


As an experienced surgeon, Ben


Okafor has seen an evolution in the treatment of spinal disorders. He’s been able to tailor treatment that’s evidence based and holistic, by working closely with a multi- disciplinary team. Ben Okafor has conducted the full spectrum of spinal surgery treatments, abiding by guiding principles of minimal surgery, rapid recovery and early mobilisation. He performs a large volume of procedures, such as:


Kyphoplasty For sufferers with vertebral compres- sion fractures and pain, and who are recalcitrant to medication. A reduc- tion of pain and early mobilisation can have a transformative both physically and mentally. Te proce- dure can be done as a day case under light anaesthetic or sedation.


Sacroiliac fusion Often misdiagnosed or unrecog- nised, sacroiliac issues can account for around 25% of patients with


back pain. Newer, evidence-based treatments in carefully selected patients include minimally invasive sacroiliac fusion.


Cervical disc replacement Tis is indicated as a motion-pre- serving solution for patients with cervical disc disease. Careful evaluation and investiga-


tion is crucial in decision making. Alternative solutions in appropriate patients include cervical fusion.


Spine fusion Ben Okafor has significant expe- rience in performing this type of surgery and is uniquely placed to evaluate and offer insight into this type of treatment, based upon his wealth of knowledge and training.


londonspinehealth.co.uk


The Holly Private Hospital, IG9 5HX, T: 020 8936 1201 Spire London East Hospital, IG4 5PZ, T: 020 8709 7878 The London Clinic, W1G 6HL, T: 020 3613 3931


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