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  • Collaborative law offers a non-adversarial approach to resolving family disputes, particularly divorce.

    Our experienced team of family lawyers can help you navigate your separation in the way that best suits you and your family.

    Our experienced team of family lawyers can help you navigate your separation in the way that best suits you and your family.

    Collaborative law is an alternative approach for couples going through separation or divorce.

    Collaborative law offers a non-adversarial approach to resolving family disputes, particularly divorce. Unlike traditional litigation, where parties often find themselves in contentious courtroom battles, collaborative law emphasises cooperation, open communication and allows couples to have more control over the outcome of their separation.

    How is the collaborative approach different from the ‘traditional’ approach?

    Team approach

    You and your lawyers work together as a team to help reach a solution that best suits you and your family. Other professionals, known as ‘neutrals’, can be also added to the team to help, for example financial advisors, family therapists or divorce coaches.

    Committed to resolving issues out of court

    You and your ex-partner will both have your own lawyers, but all parties will sign an agreement at the outset guaranteeing that if the process breaks down and either client issues Court proceedings the same lawyers would not represent you in those proceedings. As such, everyone involved is committed to resolving matters outside of the Court process. If an agreement about certain details cannot be reached, an Arbitrator can still be involved in the process to settle any disputes and come to a fair decision without the need to end the process and go to court.

    Complete transparency

    As all meetings take place with both parties in the same room there is complete transparency with all legal advice given to the parties by their lawyers. This way there is no ‘positioning’ and there are no secrets or surprises. The joint meetings are not in any way adversarial, they are about exploring solutions that work for the whole family and ensuring no one is kept in the dark.

    What are the benefits of collaborative law?

    Less costly – all discussions take place during meetings with the whole team present, which is more efficient than dealing with issues in written correspondence.

    Child and family focussed – promotes communication and cooperation between clients which provides a better foundation for a post-separation relationship.

    Your divorce, your way - clients agree and control the process including agenda, timings and venues.

    The Collaborative Process

    The following is an example of the collaborative process. Due to the bespoke, client-led nature of the process though, this may not be the same in all cases:

    1. Clients have a separate initial meeting with their lawyers when they receive information and they decide to follow the collaborative process.
    2. The lawyers meet to agree what issues will be discussed at the first joint meeting.
    3. First joint meeting attended by all. Any pressing issues will be resolved, and an agreement reached on the financial information required and the process for exchanging that ahead of the next meeting. Clients and lawyers will decide whether any neutrals should be invited to join the team.
    4. Prior to the second joint meeting, financial information will be provided. At the second joint meeting, if necessary, the lawyers can seek clarification in respect of the financial information.
    5. At the third joint meeting there are discussions with the aim of reaching a solution. Terms are hopefully agreed and noted, and the lawyers go away to prepare a Financial Consent Order.
    6. At the final joint meeting the lawyers and clients sign a Financial Consent Order ready for it to be lodged with the Court for a Judge to approve.

    Your divorce, your way

    The collaborative process can help you and your ex partner reach agreement whilst retaining your own team of professionals by your side.

    Andrea Beesley-Hewitt

    Partner

    Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Andrew Heeler

    Partner

    Head of the Corporate Department

    Andrew Hornsby

    Partner

    Dispute Resolution

    Ashley Sutherland

    Partner

    Corporate Law

    Cara Watson

    Partner

    Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Emma McGrath

    Partner

    Head of Family Law

    Greg Baker

    Partner

    Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Kally Singh

    Partner

    Senior Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution

    Lisa Thornton

    Partner

    Head of Commercial Property

    Martin Banwell

    Partner

    Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Sarah Bent

    Partner

    Head of Residential Property

    Tom Moore

    Partner

    Tax, Trust & Estate Planning Specialist

    Will Stokes

    Partner

    Commercial Property

    Abbie Cunnington

    Trainee Legal Secretary

    Abdul Basit

    Solicitor | Dispute Resolution

    Abigail Mehta

    Associate Solicitor | Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Adrian Greetham

    Case Handler | Residential Property

    Alice Clarke

    Paralegal | Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Amelia Howard

    Legal Assistant | Commercial Property

    Andrew Boullemier

    Associate Conveyancing Executive | Residential Property

    Angelina Kotowicz-Mietelska

    Legal Assistant | Commercial Property

    Anya Hammond

    Legal Assistant | Corporate Law

    Benjamin Parker

    Associate Solicitor | Family Law

    Catherine Fitches

    Case Handler | Residential Property

    Christi Somaraj

    Paralegal | Wills, Trusts and Probate

    David Brown

    Solicitor | Employment Law

    Diane Baker

    Probate Assistant

    Eden Dickens

    Case Handler | Residential Property

    Emily Blakey

    Paralegal | Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Emily Hilliard

    Conveyancing Executive | Residential Property

    Emily Kavanagh

    Case Handler | Residential Property

    Emma Carter

    Associate Solicitor | Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Fran LaVergne

    Case Handler | Residential Property

    Frankie Jepson

    Case Handler | Residential Property

    Haleema Sadia

    Solicitor | Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Isabella Green

    Solicitor | Dispute Resolution

    Jack Przedborski

    Solicitor | Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Jackie Wright

    Associate Conveyancing Executive | Residential Property

    Jo Hepplewhite

    Practice Manager

    Jody Taylor

    Conveyancing Executive | Residential Property

    Kelly Baxter

    Legal Secretary | Commercial Property

    Kelly Trevett

    Senior Associate | Family Law

    Laura Charnley

    Marketing Manager

    Lesley Knight

    Associate | Family Law

    Louise Tilley

    Case Handler | Residential Property

    Lydia Mann

    Solicitor | Commercial Property

    Marissa Clausen

    HR Consultant | Employment Law

    Michael Blank

    Legal Director | Commercial Property

    Morgan Little

    Legal Assistant | Wills, Trusts & Probate

    Natasha Downing

    Senior Associate | Chartered Legal Executive | Residential Property

    Niveta Ganger

    Solicitor | Residential Property

    Pavinder Khela

    Senior Associate | Family Law

    Rose Rasodha

    Associate Solicitor | Residential Property

    Sam Merrison

    Legal Secretary

    Sanaa Ali

    Conveyancing Executive | Residential Property

    Sarah Chapman

    Paralegal | Family Law

    Sarah Dawson

    Senior Associate | Wills, Trusts and Probate

    Sarah Phillips

    Legal Secretary

    Selina Ali

    Case Handler | Residential Property

    Shanya Dasanayake

    Solicitor | Corporate Law

    Tony Gardiner

    Business Development Manager

    Yvonne Dudhill

    Senior Associate Conveyancing Executive | Residential Property

    Speak To Our Team Today

    Whatever legal support you need, our experienced and highly skilled solicitors and legal advisors are here to help. With expertise across a wide range of legal areas, we provide clear, practical advice tailored to you. What sets us apart is our commitment to understanding your needs and delivering the best possible outcome with a personal touch.