Don't Get Court

A new approach to divorce can put an end to bitter court  battles. Peter Reynolds, partner at Rowberry Morris Solicitors, explains the collaborative process.

During separation or divorce difficult decisions have to be made, but there is now a more constructive alternative to the adversarial approach. Collaborative law is more than a celebrity fad and has been hailed as a refreshing alternative by almost all leading family lawyers, including myself.

In essence, Collaborative law is a process whereby the couple and their respective solicitors enter an agreement that neither side will issue court proceedings to resolve their dispute. The couple will sit around a table together, with their solicitors present, ensuring that they are both in an informed position to reach a constructive and workable solution which best addresses their needs and those of their family. Once matters are agreed, the court documents will be drawn up by their solicitors, working together, who will submit the final agreement to the court for approval by the judge. The end result will be a formal court order on those matters agreed.