Collaborative Practice is a new way of resolving Family Law matters, including divorce, separation and parenting disputes.

In Collaborative Family Law both parties retain separate specially trained lawyers who will work in a non-confrontational way, and all parties must commit to resolving issues without goiing to court. If the lawyers do not succeed in helping the client to reach an agreement and resolve issues, then the lawyers cannot represent the client in court proceedings.

A Collaborative Lawyer will provide legal advice and guidance throughout the process. All discussions take place in four-way face to face meetings. Provided that everyone enters into the process in good faith, the process is faster, less acrimonious and cheaper than court proceedings.

There are other clear advantages in negotiating outside the court process. The parties set their own agenda according to what matters most to them and their family.

Key decisions are made by the parties themselves rather than by a complete stranger - a judge. You will not be involved in a court procedure and can therefore work at your own pace and resolve matters more quickly and creatively.

The collaborative process also helps parties to maintain channels of communication. This is particularly important where there are children involved and discussions will focus on the concerns and the interests of each party and any children involved.

The collaborative process also helps the parties deal with matters in a more creative manner than is possible through the traditional court system. Courts can only operate in the strict boundaries of the law, whereas in collaborative practice, we can resolve the matter using a wider scope of remedies that may be available to assist.