Family Lawyers Bristol
As people are looking for more amicable and less expensive methods of dispute resolution, the collaborative process is becoming a more popular way to settle disagreements.
As with the traditional approach to resolving disputes, each party should still be represented by a suitably experienced solicitor, but the collaborative process is different in that both sides try to reach a resolution through face to face meetings or conferences, rather than the more distant approach of communicating solely by mail or telephone.
Although this can be effective in many cases, in some situations this collaborative process might not be the best course of action. The team of collaborative solicitors at our Family Lawyers Bristol office will be able to advise you whether this approach would suit your particular circumstances.
The entire focus of the collaborative process is designed to avoid the need to go to court. This is such an important part of this alternative approach that both sides are expected to sign an agreement confirming their commitment to settling the dispute without involving the courts.
The Collaborative Process
The solicitor for each party will meet with their clients and talk about what they can expect to achieve from the process and what will happen at the meetings, the first of which will then be arranged. At the meeting, after everyone has acknowledged the commitment to reaching an agreement without involving the courts, each side gets to explain what they want to get from the process. Certain guidelines regarding information sharing will be established and the agenda for the next meeting is set.
In the subsequent meetings, the concerns and priorities of both sides will be discussed and dealt with. If necessary, these meetings may involve other professionals with experience of dealing with financial matters, or Family Law issues that affect children. Over the course of how ever many meetings might be needed, the aim is to address all the issues and then find a settlement that is acceptable to everyone.
In the final meeting a document is signed detailing the agreed arrangements and a schedule for their implementation.
The collaborative approach is generally far more civilised, less emotionally draining and in many cases it’s also a lot less expensive. This is because parties tend to reach an agreement a lot quicker than if the matter was being decided by the courts.
If you are dealing with a Family Law issue and want to find out more about the collaborative approach, specially trained collaborative solicitors in our Family Lawyers Bristol offices will be able to provide you with the advice and assistance you need.