What is Collaborative Law?
It is quite simply a friendlier and practical method of dispute resolution where the lawyers for each party work together to help parties to come to their own out of court settlements.
Collaborate law or Collaborative Practice involves a series of joint round table meetings with both parties and their collaboratively trained lawyers and a ‘coach’ who essentially troubleshoot issues together to find the best solution for the family as a whole.
Other professionals can also be involved in the process such as financial neutrals (accountants or financial planners), psychologists or family therapists, even valuers, if and when needed.
Any settlement is then documented in a form of Consent Orders to be filed with the Family Court.
All lawyers are committed to the process of settlement and part of the rules of engagement require that if the matter does not settle, neither lawyer may continue to act if the matter goes to Court.