If you and your partner agree the collaborative process, we will speak with you partner’s solicitor and arrange a first meeting. If your partner has yet to instruct a solicitor we would happily speak to them to explain the benefits of collaborative law, and can signpost them to another trained collaborative lawyer. We will meet with you, ahead of any meeting with your partner and their solicitor, to establish those matters you wish to discuss – what is important to you, and how best to achieve the outcome you are seeking.

 

The collaborative process is specifically designed to resolve matters between parties without entering an adversarial and often confrontational Court process. As such an agreement, called a Participation Agreement, is entered at the start of the process which stipulates that everyone intends to resolve issues without going to Court. If agreement can’t be reached within the collaborative process (and every effort is made to ensure this is not the case), and you decide that you want to take the matter to Court, neither party will be able to have the same solicitor represent them in the Court proceedings as they had in the collaborative process. This way, everyone has a mutual commitment to reaching a positive outcome.

 

Several meetings may take place. You and your partner decide those matters you wish to discuss and when, and how often, you wish to meet. The collaborative approach is very much client-focused and is not driven by a solicitors agenda but by your own. It is a far less formal process and far less stressful way of dealing with your important issues.

 

Once matters have been agreed between you and your partner, an Order will be drafted which can be filed at Court. Generally speaking, the Courts are happy to fast track these – so you should receive an approved order sooner than you otherwise would using any other process. This is a very brief overview of what you can expect to happen. Any one of the collaborative lawyers you contact will readily talk to you in more detail.