ABSTRACT
The simulated client approach to be adopted was explained and the consent of the solicitor was obtained not only to take part in the study itself but also to cooperate with the method by simply doing what he or she would normally do when confronting a new client. Very detailed case histories had to be developed in advance for each simulated client in order to provide solicitors with the type of detail they requested while 'interviewing' their 'client'. To reiterate, the purpose of the research was to: examine the impact of the Act on solicitors' normal divorce practice, particularly in relation to the negotiation of financial property settlements on divorce. Solicitors were positive and enthusiastic participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with fifty-eight solicitors practising in or near one large city, using a simulated case study method yielding both quantitative data and qualitative data that were analysed using microcomputing techniques.
