A SOUTH Dorset law firm has warned that divorced couples may have to return to court to renegotiate their financial settlements because of a glitch on a Government website.

Battens Solicitors, which has offices in Weymouth and Dorchester, said that an error in Ministry of Justice (MOJ) software meant that couples who used forms on the website may well have reached financial settlements based on flawed calculations.

Associate Lesley Powell, a newly-appointed family law expert at Battens, said: “The court requires each of the parties to fill in a comprehensive means form, a Form E, to settle financial matters in divorce proceedings.

“It appears that in some cases where Form E on the website has been relied upon to undertake automatic calculations, these calculations have been flawed. This may have led to some incorrect settlements.”

The software blunder meant some debts and other liabilities were not taken into account in calculations of property values in divorce cases. This could mean a return to court for couples to renegotiate the financial terms of their settlement.

Lesley who has worked extensively in family law for the past 15 years, added: “This problem highlights the danger of ‘DIY’ divorces and the reliance on online forms and calculators. It emphasises the need for divorcing couples to obtain specialist legal advice and assistance, something our Family Team can help with."

Battens always faces a rise in instructions from separating couples after the festive period. It ensures that qualified mediator is available to help at each of its offices in Yeovil, Sherborne, Dorchester and Weymouth.

Lesley is a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Panel and Resolution.