The app, named Thistoo, helps self-represented couples by giving them access to a variety of online resources and tools, including automated completion of divorce application forms and access to the documents needed to make a separation agreement. Unlike a rival divorce app offering from UK law firm Mills & Reeve, Thistoo also gives uncoupling couples access to an extensive database of previous court cases to help them gain insight into how their own divorce is likely to settle. A customer using the paid-for version of Thistoo, which includes features like document extraction and application monitoring, can currently obtain a divorce application for just C$19.99 and a seperation agreement for C$189.00.
Expansion plans
Thistoo founder Samuel Witherspoon has indicated that a UK launch may be on the cards by 2017, once the app has been rolled out across Canada and in select US jurisdictions. 'My instinct is that since we are Canadian and operate with a very similar set of laws, it could be a quick transition,' said Mr Witherspoon. Mr Witherspoon's company, Miralaw, is also looking at expanding the technical capabilities of the app. 'By June, users will be able to come in and compare themselves to historical case data and examine the financial impacts litigation will have,' he added.
Digital divorce
Last week, Family Division president Sir James Munby told the Family Law Bar Association that modernisation of the UK court system would see early forms of online divorce proceeding implemented by 2017, with both divorce and probate eventually 'almost entirely digitised'. Under the 'digital divorce' model, separating couples will move through divorce proceedings 'bereft of professional assistance', completing questionnaires and forms online and moving through the proceedings using automated systems. 'Some proceedings will be conducted almost entirely online, even down to the final hearing,' he said. Sources: Legal Futures; Legal Futures (2); Law Society Gazette
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