What is collaborative Family Law?
Collaborative Law is a different way of resolving family matters including Divorce, Separation and Parenting disputes which enables the separating parties to remain more in control of the process. Together you, your former partner and your collaborative Lawyers commit to finding a solution without going to Court.

How does it work?
You both set the agenda with the help of your Collaborative Solicitor so you talk about things that matter most to you and your family.

You and your former partner sit down with the help of your own Solicitors who are collaboratively trained altogether in the same room to work a solution out face to face.

You both set the pace because you are not governed by Court dates and appearances.

You still get the benefit of each having your own independent legal advice from your collaborative Solicitor but you commit to agreeing to settle it without Court proceedings and the advice is often given in a round the table meeting with your former partner and Solicitor also present.

What are the benefits of collaborative law?
Collaborative Law is the more “friendly” way of Divorcing or Separating. You need a genuine desire to make it work and an ability to be prepared to sit down in the same room as your former partner to discuss fully and honestly all information.

You each have your own skilled trained Solicitors who are experienced in working in the collaborative way.

You commit to reaching an agreement that will work for both of you without going to Court.

What does collaborative law cover?
Collaborative law can cover most family disputes including Divorce, the financial aspects arising from Divorce, Unmarried Separations, Civil Partnerships and any Children’s issues.

What are the advantages of negotiating outside of the law process?
The advantage of collaborative law is that you and your former partner can agree the important issues that you want to discuss and the order in which you discuss them. The critical future decisions about your family are not made by a Judge but are made by both of you with you both having the benefit of your independent legal advice in the round the table meetings.

You still have a duty to provide full and frank financial disclosure of all your assets so negotiations can be honest and open. You can still obtain a Court order to record what has been agreed but it is an order by Consent and not one imposed on you by the Court Judge.

Costs
We will discuss this with you at your first appointment, but the hourly rate is no different to what you would normally pay. The total charges depend on the time spent.

Is Legal Aid available?
Legal Aid is not currently available for Collaborative law.

Who are our collaborative lawyers?
Sandra Hedley and Joe Bartlett are both very experienced Family Solicitors and Collaboratively trained. They are Accredited Specialist Solicitors with Resolution, the National Organisation for Family Lawyers. They both deal exclusively with family law.

Want to find out more?
Please contact Sandra or Joe for more information. You can come into the office for a short free appointment to find out more and discuss the way forward.

Resolution - First for Family Law
www.resolution.org.uk

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