LEGAL MATTERS
The civilized
way to settle
divorce
G
rindeys Family and Divorce Solicitor Emma
Smith has joined the local group for
collaborative
lawyers,
Staffordshire
Collaborative.
Collaborative Law is a way for separating
couples to resolve disputes. The Collaborative Law
method of negotiation aims to minimise the stress
of divorce and separation, avoids the high cost of
going to Court and is suitable for aspects of family
breakdown, including disputes over children or
finances.
The Collaborative process works because each
60 June/July 2014
party signs an agreement which commits them to
resolving their issues without Court proceedings.
At the meetings, both parties are accompanied by
their Collaborative lawyer, who is trained to
negotiate in a non confrontational way that keeps
both parties involved at all times. All parties will
work towards reaching an agreement that is fair
and acceptable to the family. If negotiations do fail
then the signed agreement dictates that the
Collaborative lawyers withdraw from the case
which means the disputing parties have to hire a
new team of representatives which could be
expensive, stressful and time consuming. This is a
strong incentive to make negotiations work.
Progress is made through a series of roundtable meetings involving the parties and each of
their solicitors, where matters are discussed faceto-face rather than the traditional method of
dealing through correspondence.
Overall the process is much less stressful and
much more civilized than the traditional court
method which is why the government is actively
encouraging family disputes to be settled out of
court.
Emma Smith is a trained and
experienced Collaborative Law solicitor.
If you have any
questions about
Collaborative Law or
would like someone to
represent you
throughout the
Collaborative process
please contact Emma
on 01782 846 441 or
email emma.smith@
grindeys.com