Collaborative Family Law

The collaborative family law process is a relatively new way of dealing with family disputes. If you wish to sort out financial issues arising from separation and your objective is to do so with an amicable, fair and balanced approach, then this can be an option for you. Each person appoints their own solicitor but instead of conducting negotiations between you and your partner by letter or phone you meet together to work things out face to face.

Your solicitor will be by your side throughout the entire process and therefore you will benefit from legal advice as you go. The aim of collaborative law is to resolve family disputes without going to court.

Collaborative law is aimed at achieving an outcome which is acceptable to both of you. If it is not possible to reach such an agreement and you need the assistance of the court to reach an outcome, then the solicitors withdraw and do not take any further part in the proceedings. This is so that there is no concern that the solicitor may be seen to have a vested interest in the talks breaking down.

How long does the collaborative process take?

One of the benefits of the collaborative process is that it's not driven by a timetable imposed by the court. So to a large extent the process can be built around your family's individual timetable and priorities.

Catherine Polli, who is a Partner and Head of the family department at Pinney Talfourd is a trained collaborative lawyer and has experience working in this field.

Sue Nash is also a trained collaborative lawyer and has significant experience in a ll aspects of family law.

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