Linda Lamb, Robert Williams and Alan Larkin are all trained as Collaborative lawyers. This is a process in which you and your spouse or partner each have a lawyer, and all have a shared commitment to avoid litigation. The process primarily entails informal discussions and joint meetings for the purposes of settling all issues. Each party and his or her lawyer sign an agreement not to go to court and our mutual aim will be to reach a fair and equitable settlement.
What are the benefits of collaborative law?
• You can focus on what is important to you and resolve matters quickly.
• If there are children they can benefit as the process will focus on the children first. You can achieve a more flexible and creative solution adapted to your needs.
• The process is straightforward and eliminates the opportunity for misunderstanding.
• The goal is to enhance communication through the process and to lay the foundations for a healthy relationship afterwards.
• Where there are children it can provide a very powerful message as the children will see their parents resolving differences constructively together.
• It is ideally suited to negotiate pre/post nuptial agreements, living together agreements and contested probate disputes.
What distinguishes the collaborative process from the traditional court route?
• It will ensure that you and your spouse/partner have a voice and are in control of the process. If the Court is involved this can be dictated by a Judge.
• By avoiding Court no evidence needs to be given.
• You will benefit from the strength of two lawyers working together rather than in opposition to one another.
• The process is confidential, whereas the Court process has been recently opened up to allow a media presence.
• The process is very much a future-focussed process and the aim is that you work with and not against your partner. In contrast, the Court process can become a battleground.
• Compared with the traditional Court process it can provide better value for money, particularly if long term solutions are achieved.
No collaborative lawyer can guarantee that this process will be effective in resolving your issues. However, there is every chance the process will work if there a commitment to be respectful and honest with a drive and determination to resolve the issues that are important to you.
