Collaborative Family Law Solicitor Newcastle and Sunderland.

Family Lawyers with offices in Sunderland and Newcastle. The Collaborative Family Law process is a new way of resolving family issues on Divorce/Dissolution or relationship breakdown.

The practice of Collaborative Family Law seeks to avoid the hostility and acrimony that can often arise from a separation by helping the parties concerned in constructive, fair and amicable discussion. The idea is to try to avoid spending the time and expense involved in court proceedings.

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Each party will appoint their own family lawyer and will therefore benefit from independent legal advice. However, instead of negotiating by letter or telephone the parties and their lawyers conduct a series of round- table meetings in order to work things out face to face.

The Collaborative process creates a safe environment in which the parties can express their concerns, and with the benefit of independent legal advice can negotiate a resolution.

The process can be used in relation to the resolution of financial issues, and issues concerning children. It can avoid the aggravation, delay and considerable expense of litigated Court proceedings.

Why not save time and money by letting us help you prepare fully for your Initial Advice Appointment? Contact us now for further advice.

Family Law Specialists Solicitors Newcastle:  0191 284 6989

Family Law Specialists Solicitors Sunderland: 0191 567 6667

or email us: enquiries@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk

How does the process work?

The process itself consists of a series of meetings.

The parties will have already met separately with their own Family Lawyers as part of a screening process and an examination of the various ways of resolving issues in order to see if the Collaborative process is right for them.

On the basis that both parties wish to deal with matters collaboratively, individual meetings with their separate Specialist Collaborative family lawyers will take place to discuss the process and what to expect in more detail. This will include discussion concerning the round-table meetings known as "four way meetings" which will take place and which will be the mechanism for resolving all issues.

Family Law Sunderland and Newcastle, Your four way meetings

There will be a series of four way meetings. The number of meetings necessary will vary from case to case.

At the first four way meeting both lawyers will make sure that the parties understand the process and are committed to resolving matters without becoming involved in Court proceedings. If all parties are happy to proceed an agreement known as the "Participation Agreement" will be signed at the first meeting to confirm that the Collaborative process will be used.

By the time of the first meeting both parties will usually have also prepared short statements, often with the assistance of their own lawyers, setting out why it is they wish to deal with matters collaboratively. These statements are often read out at the first meeting, and are described as "anchor" documents. They can be referred back to at a later stage in the process if necessary. They can help to remind the parties of their original intentions, especially if a lot of issues have been dealt with during the process.

Subsequent four way meetings

Further meetings may have to take place to deal with specific issues and concerns. This may involve other professionals, for example financial specialists, family consultants, accountants or valuers.

Once all matters are resolved a final meeting will take place at which documents, prepared by the parties' lawyers, setting out the agreement reached will be signed. Any other issues which may need to be resolved to put into effect the agreement reached will be discussed.

At the conclusion of matters the signed agreement, depending on its nature, may be filed at Court. The judge, if happy with the content will then make an Order that is binding upon the parties and will protect their long term position. This is particularly the case in relation to financial issues where it is understood from the outset that the agreements reached will subsequently made into Orders of the Court by agreement.

Benefits of Collaborative law

• Collaborative Law avoids the worst aspects of traditional divorce, and by reaching agreements yourselves you escape the uncertainty of decisions made by the Court.
• If you would like to resolve matters directly with your partner, but don't have the confidence, or the necessary 'know-how', Collaborative Law enables you to negotiate face-to-face, but with the security of having your Solicitor present.
• The environment within which the Collaborative process takes place is designed to be non-aggressive which is ideal if you want to end your relationship with the minimum of conflict.
• Collaborative Law offers you the opportunity to be active in resolving the issues between you and your partner, and can give you a sense of control over your future.
• Collaborative cases are often resolved more quickly than those dealt with by more traditional means, and may be less costly than proceeding through the Court system.

If you would like to discuss Collaborative Family Law options with us then please do not hesitate to contact our Family Law Department either in Sunderland or Newcastle.

If you would like to try and avoid contested court proceedings then why not ask to speak to our Collaborative Family Lawyers.

Collaborative Family Law Solicitors Newcastle:   0191 284 6989

Collaborative Family Law Solicitors Sunderland: 0191 567 6667

or email us: enquiries@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk

Or complete our Online Enquiry Form and select family law

If you need help with your divorce or separation, then contact us for a Next Steps Divorce Advice Session and see how we can help you.

Our Gosforth Office has wheelchair access, you can be dropped off at our front door and there is free parking on the adjoining streets. You can also park opposite our Sunderland Office on John Street.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY...

“I was delighted with the service I received. Your Lawyer was fantastic, and I could not recommend her enough. I had been with an alternative solicitor for many years and had never been advised that I did not need to go to court. She advised me to try mediation, which I did, and how the matter is resolved. I would definitely recommend.”

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“Your Lawyer was so helpful and compassionate. She has been brilliant! I couldn’t fault her. She has been good to work with. Very straightforward and easy to talk to and she really understood my situation. Overall she has been great. As has Emmersons. I am very pleased with the service. Helaina was lovely, always calling me back and there have been no delays apart from those outside of her control. I would recommend this Family Lawyer and Emmersons to anyone.”
Mrs J M.

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