'Poison' divorce adverts criticised

The company says its posters do not encourage divorce

Couples with relationship problems have been warned against involving solicitors too early after a Welsh law firm launched a striking new advertising campaign.

Relationship counselling service Relate said people needed to consider all options before involving a solicitor.

It came as Cardiff-based solicitors Leo Abse & Cohen unveiled a series of posters aimed at couples thinking about divorce.

With slogans such as "When all that's left is poison", the law firm says the campaign was designed to reflect the realities of life.

The danger of the adverts is that people may go to a solicitor before they have explored other options Kevin Overbury, Relate

Leo Abse & Cohen marketing director Robert Lloyd Griffiths said: "We are a modern firm, focused on the people we see every day and the reality of the situations they face.

"Peoples' experiences of divorce vary widely and are often enormously influenced by the quality of legal advice and support they receive.

"Of course this campaign is not designed to encourage divorce, but simply to make the point that we believe our professional expertise and people focus mean we can make a real difference for individuals going through the process."

Divorce rates within the UK are rising, with almost a third of all marriages breaking up.

The adverts use dramatic words and images

The 2001 census found that the number of divorced people rose to 30.1%, up from 26.3% in 1991.

The proportion of lone parent families also increased, up from 5.2% to 6%.

Kevin Overbury of Relate said: "The danger of the adverts is that people may go to a solicitor before they have explored other options.

"There does come a time when people need to go to a solicitor to go through the practicalities.

"What is important is that people think through and consider exactly what they want to do, and the best way to do that is to go to an organisation which doesn't have anything to gain from relationships breaking up.

"Relate is about helping people to sort out their relationships, but there are times when some people need to face up to the fact that their relationship is over."