Collaborative law is a relatively new process which enables parties to seek legal advice and negotiate financial settlements and other areas of family law without the need to instigate Court proceedings.

It involves both parties and their lawyers agreeing to be committed to reaching agreement without issuing proceedings at Court. The aim is to save costs and to minimise hostility and acrimony by resolving disputes between the parties fairly and amicably.

If the process breaks down however and one party wishes to make an application to Court, then both lawyers have to withdraw from the case and further solicitors instructed by the parties to commence Court proceedings.

It is therefore an incentive to resolve matters amicably if costs are reduced and hostility is minimised by using this process. The team consists of a fully trained collaborative lawyer and can offer this service.