Divorce lawyers have trashed new BBC1 drama The Split as “unrealistic” and “absolutely shocking”.
The show centres on a firm of female divorce solicitors and stars Nicola Walker as Hannah, who has quit the family business to join one of its competitors, causing ructions between her mother and sister.
Events take a dramatic turn when their long-last father, played by Anthony Head, turns up for the first time in three decades.
But experts were left “rolling their eyes” and couldn’t get past the “inaccurate” portrayal of the legal profession to focus on the story, with many vowing never to watch again.
Elizabeth Matfin, head of family law at Coles Solicitors, tweeted: “Massively cringing at #TheSplit.
“So glad the vast majority of #familylaw #divorce #lawyers #familylawsolicitors are nothing like this and for that matter neither are our offices. Why are they speaking like written arguments?”
Her colleague, Terina Kiss, agreed, adding: “Who on earth were the legal advisors to the BBC for this programme! Absolutely shocking!”
Read more: All about BBC divorce drama The Split with Nicola Walker
Razia Jogi, divorce lawyer and director at Switalskis Solicitors, wrote: “‘Child access’ referred to in the first ten mins & I gnash my teeth in response.”
Family and children law barrister Jack Harrison posted: “Don’t even get me started on tonight’s episode of #TheSplit.”
Professional divorce coach Danielle Barbereau added: “Found #TheSplit on BBC1 totally detached from reality and full of clichés.
“A wasted opportunity to reveal the work of family lawyers and dispel myths.”
Solicitors agreed with the assessment of one viewer who said: “Best bit was when @StephenMangan walked into the door frame.”
Other legal experts flooded Twitter to slam the drama.
Massively cringing at #TheSplit so glad the vast majority of #familylaw #divorce #lawyers #familylawsolicitors are nothing like this and for that matter neither are our offices. Why are they speaking like written arguments 😂 #collaborativelaw #resolution
— Elizabeth Matfin (@ElizabethMatfin) April 24, 2018
Absolutely have to agree! #TheSplit….who on earth were the legal advisors to the BBC for this programme! Absolutely Shocking! 😳 https://t.co/2Aa0t1LojN
— Terina Kiss (@terina_kiss) April 25, 2018
I mean this does not portray us very well…it is not like this #TheSplit
— Shannen AE (@sae_dew) April 24, 2018
Found #TheSplit on BBC1 totally detached from reality and full of clichés. A wasted opportunity to reveal the work of family lawyers and dispel myths.
— Danielle Barbereau (@CoachingDB) April 25, 2018
Don’t even get me started on tonight’s episode of #TheSplit…
— Jack Harrison (@JackHarrison) April 24, 2018
‘Child access’ referred to in the first ten mins & I gnash my teeth in response. #TheSplit https://t.co/1U16uBn2kW
— Razia Jogi (@RaziaJogi) April 24, 2018
I’m 20 minutes in, and already they’re talking about “visitation” and “access”. None of it feels realistic. #TheSplit
— Armstrong Family Law (@JonArmstrongLaw) April 24, 2018
No more than 5 minutes in and the senior partner refers to “child access”. Not in any firm I’ve ever done work for has that patronising term been used #thesplit @BBCOne https://t.co/KnpnvaFZdu
— Samara Brackley (@SBRBrackley) April 24, 2018
Disappointing to see #familylaw practice being portrayed in such an outdated and inaccurate way on #thesplit. Severe lack of @ResFamilyLaw members in those firms it would seem!
— Sarah Achilles (@sarah_achilles) April 24, 2018
I’m splitting from #TheSplit it’s officially cack….
— Vanessa Saxton (@bobbidog) April 24, 2018
#TheSplit er not sure anyone understands that children can not be used as barter in child arrangements…and ‘visitation’ we’re not in US…
— Vanessa Saxton (@bobbidog) April 24, 2018
I have to say on the first viewing of #thesplit that the BBC are not helping to portray the work that the family solicitors do day in day out in dealing with divorce and child arrangements. It’s not a patch on Silk although I may be biased as I work in Chambers #familylaw
— Russell Hobbs (@rhobbs42) April 25, 2018
#TheSplit Wondering how many times I will roll my eyes and think how totally unrealistic this is to real life #divorvelawyer
— The Running Lawyer (@Running_Lawyer) April 24, 2018
Yep, 11 minutes in and reality is over #TheSplit
— The Running Lawyer (@Running_Lawyer) April 24, 2018
Oh dear #TheSplit is already verging on unwatchable despite brilliant cast because it’s so blinking unrealistic and silly about the law.
— Alex (@alexpreston101) April 24, 2018
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* The Split continues on BBC1 at 9pm next Tuesday.
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