Tom And Katie: Keeping It Private. Keeping It Amicable.

Just days after news of the split of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes hit the headlines, the star couple have reached an out-of-court settlement following intensive meetings between their lawyers in an attempt to keep the matter out of court. No details of the settlement have yet been released, but it is thought that Tom Cruise had insisted that any settlement provided significant contact with their daughter, Suri, and in a joint statement the couple said that they were "committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter's Suri's best interests".

Many couples, like Tom and Katie, are increasingly keen to reach financial settlements out of court and there are clear benefits in doing so, particularly where they have children, as it is more likely that the couple will be able to maintain an amicable relationship following their separation. Confidentiality is another important benefit of settling disputes out of court and with dignity, and it has