Hartnell Chanot: Divorce/Family Law Solicitors Exeter, Devon
Collaborative Law
The best solutions are those which you work out for yourselves, together.
Collaborative law is fairly new to the UK and is fundamentally changing the way people think about family law.
For couples that genuinely seek a fair solution, and want to minimise the pain of family breakdown, it may offer the best way ahead.
What is collaborative law?
At its simplest, collaborative law is about making key decisions about your future all together in the same room, face to face. You agree not go to court and your Collaborative lawyers sign an agreement with you that disqualify them from representing you in court if the process breaks down. This means they are absolutely committed to helping you find the best solutions by agreement, rather than conflict.
The benefits
- You set the agenda, so you talk about the things that matter most to you and your family.
- You set the pace because you are not governed by court dates and appearances.
- Your children will cope better with your separation if they see that you are working together.
- The decisions are yours – they are not made by a stranger in the courtroom
How to make it work
You must have a genuine desire to make it work, be willing to disclose information about all assets and maintain regular contact with your former partner. Rather than communicating through your solicitors, you work with them to reach the best solutions for you and your family.
How much does it cost?
Collaborative law can be cheaper than the conventional way of instructing solicitors because you use less of your solicitor’s time.
How to find a collaborative lawyer
There are only about two hundred and fifty lawyers in the UK trained to take this collaborative route, and these lawyers utilise their skills in client representation, negotiation and problem solving to help their clients shape a fair agreement. Hartnell Chanot & Partners have five collaborative lawyers, Jane Chanot, Norman Hartnell, Caroline Ryan, Emma Benyon-Tinker, and Jill Read-Brown, and for further information please call 01392 421777
