Following a busy start to 2011, Fraser Browns Family Law team is predicting that social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter will play an ever-increasing role in family disputes such as divorce, as well as children"s and financial disputes.

Last year saw more and more users of social networking sites getting caught out when it came to discussing divorce settlements, due mainly to the amount of personal information being publicly shared on the sites. Partner and Head of Family Law, Pramila Meghani says the trend will only increase as more people socialise online.

"Facebook is no longer solely the playground of teens and tweens but is increasingly being used by an older demographic," she said. "When a relationship breaks down, things like online photo albums, profile pages, wall comments, status updates and tweets all become gold mines for evidence and leads.

"It has become fairly routine for social networking sites to be used to gather evidence to support allegations of an affair or other reason for divorce and this can have a significant influence on the outcome of the cases."

Traditionally January and February are the busiest time for divorce lawyers as the stresses of festive period often spells the end for many already fragile relationships.

Latest official statistics suggest that the divorce rate has risen by nine per cent in four years and also reveal that couples married for more than 30 years are now twice as likely to divorce as they were ten years ago.

As well as the advent of technology such as social networking and mobile phones making infidelity easier, Pramila believes this is also due to a change in attitude. "Whereas previously difficulties in a relationship would have been tolerated, they are now more likely to signal the end," she said.