Collaborative Law

The aim of collaborative law is to resolve family law disputes without the need to go to court. The collaborative family law process is a relatively new way of dealing with family disputes and can only be undertaken by a specially trained lawyer.

Elizabeth Hassall in our Family Law team is collaboratively trained and can assist you if you wish to try this method to reach a settlement with your spouse or former partner.

What happens in the collaborative law process?
Both you and your spouse/partner will have your own lawyer who will provide you with independent advice and assistance. There will then be a series of negotiations which take place in face-to-face meetings with both yourselves and the solicitors present. The aim of the meetings is for all present to work together to resolve the issues.

The intention is that the face to face process will enable you and your spouse/partner to achieve an agreement that you are both happy with, which will be a lasting solution and will not require the involvement of the court.

Where necessary we will seek input from other experts that may be of assistance to you, such as counsellors, family consultants and financial professionals who are also committed to the collaborative law process. A specialist team can be formed which is best for your individual family's needs.

The collaborative process can be timely with meetings arranged to suit your diary, with the business of the day being addressed round a table rather than being dealt with by solicitors letters or court proceedings.

Any agreement reached as part of the collaborative process can be ratified by the court who are invited to make a consent order. The order provides certainty but without the need to appear before a Judge or become involved in proceedings.