Information for Legal Professionals

A focused, efficient and cost-effective private FDR service for your clients

The Private FDR Group provides private Financial Dispute Resolution hearings for financial remedy cases in England and Wales.

Our service is designed for cases where a private FDR would assist, but where traditional private FDR fees may be disproportionate. We are particularly suited to mid-value cases involving assets in the region of £500,000 to £3 million, while also being available for higher-value matters where a focused and timely evaluation is required.

Fees start from £1,950 + VAT for a full-day hearing.

We offer flexible delivery. The evaluator may attend remotely by secure video or in person, depending on the needs of the case. In either format, the parties and their legal teams will usually attend together in person, preserving the effectiveness of face-to-face negotiation.

The result is a structured, proportionate and settlement-focused process that can provide meaningful progress where a court-listed FDR is delayed or too time-limited.

What we provide

Experienced evaluators

The evaluator on the day will be either Gary Howell (LinkedIn profile or CV available upon request), or an evaluator selected by Gary (who will have at least the equivalent experience).

All work is carried out strictly in a private capacity, with appropriate care around conflicts.

Clear, structured indications

The evaluator provides a clear indication of the likely range of outcomes at a final hearing, supporting productive negotiation and helping manage client expectations.

Following submissions, the evaluator will usually prepare a concise written indication during the course of the day. This is intended to provide a practical framework for negotiations and to assist the parties if settlement discussions continue after the hearing.

The indication is focused and evaluative, rather than a detailed judgment, and is grounded in the section 25 factors, relevant case law and the submissions of the parties.

As full-day process

The evaluator will remain available throughout the day if necessary, allowing time for submissions, indication, negotiation and clarification of issues as discussions progress.

In many cases, the 1 to 1½ hours allocated for a court-listed FDR is insufficient. A private FDR allows the case to be given proper time and focus.

Booking and documentation

We aim to make the process as straightforward as possible.

To enquire about availability, please email:

preferred dates
proposed venue
names of solicitors, counsel and parties
whether remote or in-person attendance by the evaluator is preferred
any special considerations

If the date is available, we will respond with our standard terms and conditions. Payment is required in accordance with those terms.

Document requirements will usually mirror those required for a court FDR and should be prepared in accordance with the Financial Remedies Court Statement on Efficient Conduct, including:

composite case summary in the form of Template ES1
schedules of assets and income in Form ES2
chronologies in neutral terms
position statements
any open offers
Form E and supporting documents, where applicable

Further guidance is provided upon booking.

Suitable cases

Our service is suitable for cases where:

a court-listed FDR is months away
the parties are motivated to settle but need a realistic steer
a full-day format is likely to assist negotiations
traditional private FDR fees may be disproportionate
a concise written indication would assist further negotiation

We are happy to discuss suitability at any stage.

Next steps

To find out about availability or to discuss whether a case is suitable for a private FDR, please contact us through our Contact page or email at the address below.