Collaborative Law
Collaborative law is a relatively new approach to resolving family disputes without going to court. The process aims to achieve a resolution that best meets the needs of each party in a cost-effective way which avoids the stress, difficulties and uncertainty of going to court.
Collaborative law is used to facilitate a broad range of family issues, including divorce, disputes between parents and the drawing up of pre and post-marital agreements. Our team of collaborative lawyers are specially trained as well as also being fully qualified legal professionals.
Collaborative law differs from mediation as each party appoints their own collaborative lawyer. Your collaborative lawyer represents you at face-to-face meetings between you and the other party, and these meetings continue until a resolution is negotiated. By having your own, dedicated collaborative lawyer you benefit from individual support and legal advice throughout what is known as the disclosure process.
When a separating couple begin the collaborative law process they are both required to sign a participation agreement with their respective lawyer. This means that they enter the process fully committed to finding a resolution and will not issue court proceedings. If negotiations do break down both parties will be required to find alternative lawyers.