Collaborative Family Practice

Collaborative Practice is a multidisciplinary dispute resolution process in which participants resolve issues without resorting to litigation.

We believe that many Family Law cases do not belong in the courtroom and would be better served by alternative dispute resolution, via either collaborative family practice or mediation.

We have a strong commitment to the growing collaborative family practice model because it supports critical aspects of family transition, especially the emotional and financial aspects, which litigation on its own can worsen from the possibility of resolution.

Collaborative Family Law is an innovative process allowing couples to address the complexities of relationship breakdown in a civilised, non-confrontational way and without resorting to the courts. You will be advised by your own collaborative solicitor who accompanies you to four-way meetings with your spouse/partner and his or her solicitor. This model also encourages the additional assistance of family consultants who help you to deal with the emotional fallout from the breakdown of your relationship and the impact it may have on you and most importantly, the children.

Collaborative law is particularly mindful of the impact that relationship breakdown can have on children and works towards a resolution that is in their best interests.

Unlike litigation, any expert such as an accountant, a valuer, a child specialist, or a pensions expert needed in the process to inform you/your partner is employed as a neutral, therefore saving on the fees of two experts.

Collaborative family law means that you and your spouse/partner control the process and the outcome. In litigation that power is handed over to third parties such as lawyers, experts and ultimately the judge. You and your spouse/partner dictate the pace of the process. You and your spouse/partner decide what parenting arrangements are best for your children, not a judge who has never met them. The attendance of children in court can be traumatising and should be avoided unless there are very exceptional circumstances.