Using arbitration to settle family disputes - less Hollywood, more privacy

Paul Hollywood is a highly public judge on one of television’s most popular shows with over 6 million viewers watching him and his taste buds push Great British Bake Off contestants to tears frustration and occasional joy but when it comes to his divorce he and his wife of over 20 years have chosen for their financial arrangements to be adjudicated in private.

Having already experienced the raft of publicity that the breakdown of their marriage attracted alongside speculation as to the reasons behind their separation and rumours about the split of their purported £10 million asset base the former Mr and Mrs Hollywood have agreed to have the outcome of their financial separation decided upon by an arbitrator rather than by a family court judge. One of the likely reasons for this route is that it allows them to keep the process and the outcome completely private; something they no doubt seek for themselves but also crucially for their son.

Family court proceedings do not guarantee privacy and confidentiality. High profile divorcing couples will often enter the court building on the day of their hearing...

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