2 Dr Johnson’s Buildings

Pankaj is focusing all his experience and skills on providing a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution known as Private FDR(pFDR).

Biography

Called to the Bar in 1992

Pankaj is focusing all his experience and skills on providing a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution known as Private FDR(pFDR).

For many separating parties, the long wait for a court hearing can be very stressful and expensive.

Pankaj can bring all his experience to bear in conducting a “private FDR”, in which he will give both parties an indication of how he feels a case might be resolved were it to go to court.  While his indication will not be binding on the parties, it will provide a strong incentive for them both to reach a settlement that day. Pankaj’s chambers would be able to provide the necessary rooms.  The Private FDR would be conducted in one room, and each party would have a break-out room of their own (whether or not they are represented).  He is also happy to travel to other venues or deal with the case remotely.

Pankaj has a wealth of experience of FDRs and final hearings going back many years.   He can deal with cases of very low value to those of high net worth.  He has experience of pensions, trusts, corporate structures, intervenors and property portfolios.  He has dealt with many cases involving parties from the sub-Continent.

Pankaj is well known at the Bar for being robust, realistic but highly approachable and is very anxious to ensure that parties’ costs do not spiral out of control, and that expectations are well managed.

Pankaj’s fees for a day (which includes pre-reading and preparation) are typically £3000 plus VAT but these are subject to further discussion with his clerk, Stephen Lavell.

Recent testimonials about Pankaj in pFDRs: “Mr Pathak was recently instructed to act as a Private FDR “judge”. The parties wanted a realistic indication of what a judge would order within court proceedings. Mr Pathak and his Clerks were accommodating to the parties’ needs and flexible in allowing the date to be delayed and rescheduled as needed. It was clear that Mr Pathak had taken care and attention reviewing the papers in advance of the PFDR. Mr Pathak’s experience and knowledge in matrimonial cases was extremely reassuring to our client who felt she was getting value for money. Our aim was to settle; this was unlikely to have been achieved had it not been for Mr Pathak’s thoughtful indication and managing the parties’ expectations as to the possible alternative of initiating Court proceedings. I hope to be able to instruct Mr Pathak again for a private FDR as his service was invaluable in drawing this particular case to a close.” Solicitor, Brasted, Kent. “ I found Pankaj Pathak very effective as a private FDR judge and would definitely use him in the future. He was very thorough in his preparation. He gave a clear indication of the likely outcome if the case were to proceed to a final hearing. As a result, the parties agreed a financial settlement at the private FDR saving them months of waiting (and significantly increased legal costs) for a final court hearing” – Solicitor, Brasted, Kent.

Appointments: Deputy District Judge (Civil), August 2010