Divorce

Amalfi (Alternative Matrimonial and Litigation Funding Ideas) has been founded by two family law solicitors to provide funding for parties to contested ancillary relief proceedings who are unable to obtain public funding and cannot afford to pay legal fees. Conditional fee agreements are excluded from family proceedings on the grounds of public policy. Under the scheme Amalfi acts as intermediary for the London-based private bank, Leopold Joseph & Sons under a scheme whereby the bank will offer loans provided there is a jointly-owned home with a minimum of £150,000 equity and the borrower s solicitor indicates that their client will receive a minimum of £75,000 in any settlement. On that basis, the bank would be prepared to lend £25,000 plus two years’ interest of £5,000. The scheme has been generally welcomed by family law practitioners because an increasing number of solicitors are reluctant to await any payment of their fees until the outcome of lengthy ancillary relief proceedings.