Collaborative Law

Collaborative law is a useful approach for some separating or divorcing couples. When following the collaborative law process, each client appoints their own collaboratively trained lawyer. You and your respective lawyers meet together to work through issues face to face. Each of you has your own independent lawyer by your side throughout the process so you each have your own legal advice and support.

An agreement is signed by the parties and lawyers which commits to resolving issues without going to court and prevents either party’s lawyers representing clients in the event that court proceedings are issued should the process breakdown. This means that all parties and lawyers are committed to finding the best solution, rather than through going to court. In preparation for the meetings, you each meet your individual lawyers to talk about what to expect in the collaborative meetings which are usually referred to as “four way meetings”.

One of huge benefits of engaging in the collaborative process is that you do not follow the court timetable. This means that the timetable of progress can be determined by your own family circumstances. Sometimes the matter can be resolved in only one or two meetings, in other cases four or five meetings can be required. In any event, once an agreement is reached, your lawyers will convert this into a legally binding agreement or a court order as appropriate.