What Is Collaborative Law?
- Collaborative Law (also known as the Collaborative Process) is a popular way of resolving relationship disputes as well as for negotiating agreements ahead of marriage or civil partnership.
- It's a process which helps couples to deal with their differences respectfully and privately without having to go to Court. It is generally a less stressed, quicker and cheaper solution for divorce, separation or dissolution of a civil partnership than going to court.
How Does Collaborative Law Work?
- You both have your own legal counsellor at your side who also works with the other legal counsel to assist you both to reach an agreement.
- We use 4 Way meetings to talk about everything and to come to a legally enforceable agreement.
- Within this process you can both recognise the past and yet aim towards the future without blame.
- You set the tone and direction and put down the foundations for a more healthy relationship during and after separation.
- You can include other professionals as part of "the team".
- You consent to share truthfully and openly information to help reach an agreement effectively.
What are the Advantages of Collaborative Law?
- You can target what's necessary to you and resolve things quickly.
- Your children benefit as the process enables you to focus on the children first.
- You can achieve a more flexible and creative solution customised to your requirements.
- The process is both easy and eliminates the opportunity for misunderstandings.
- The goal is to enhance communication through the process and to establish the foundations for a healthy relationship thereafter.
- There aren't any imposed orders by people you haven't met.
- You have confidentiality as problems and money information are all kept private.
What Distinguishes Collaborative Law From The Traditional Route?
- Collaborative Law is pro-active so you'll actually have a voice and be in charge of the process, whereas in the Court process this is dictated by a Judge.
- There'll be no evidence given in Court.
- You gain advantage from the power of two lawyers working together.
- The process is private not like the Court process which has been opened up to the media.
- It is future focused and you work with and not against your partner. The Court process can become a battleground.
- It offers good value for money.
Therefore, Collaborative Law may well offer you a better way to divorce, separate or dissolve a civil partnership than going to court.
If you'd like to explore the collaborative process it is generally simple to find suitably trained and experienced lawyers in your area (for instance by putting 'Collaborative Law ' and your city or area into Google). The BrightPOD web site has more information on Collaborative Law.
About the Author:
Sarah Mellish is a family lawyer, with over 20 years experience, in Brighton, Sussex. She's a trained and experienced collaborative lawyer and a member of BrightPOD which is a grouping of collaborative lawyers in the area.
No comments:
Post a Comment