Michelmores Family Law Service

Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law is a new approach whereby both lawyers and clients all agree to work together to resolve children and financial issues arising out of their separation. Lawyers are specially trained and the aim is to reach a fair settlement without the acrimony of litigation, where you as clients remain in control of the process and the outcome.

The Collaborative process

Both you and your spouse will need to enter an agreement to expressly prohibit court proceedings (save for obtaining a divorce and asking the court to approve a draft financial order which you have agreed).

A series of four way meetings will then follow with lawyers and clients present where agenda's are set and followed. On occasions it will be necessary for outside experts to be involved, such as accountants or IFA's. If this is necessary such Experts as ‘neutrals' will assist you both.

The benefits

There are many but here are a few:-

• There is more scope for a tailor made settlement as you are in control of decisions as opposed to a Judge.
• You are more likely to remain friends after the process has finished than if you were in acrimonious litigation as collaborative embodies a non-aggressive approach to the resolution of all issues.

The Michelmores family service has one lawyer trained already in this new practice. To find out more please contact us. Further details on Collaborative Law generally can be found at www.resolution.org.uk