How collaborative law works

Honesty, cooperation and the good faith of all participants underpin the success of collaborative law.

The process begins with you and your partner both retaining specialist family lawyers. During an initial meeting, your lawyer will help determine whether the collaborative approach is a suitable course-of-action for your matter. When you choose collaborative law, the process typically includes:

• The Signing of a Participation Agreement
All parties sign a Participation Agreement that establishes ground rules and objectives. It requires all participants – including lawyers – to formally agree not to proceed to court.

• Negotiation and Face to Face Meetings
Face-to-face meetings involve you, your partner and, where appropriate, other professionals such as accountants and child counsellors. This provides an opportunity to raise the issues important to you, minimise misunderstandings and gain greater control over potential outcomes.

• Preparation of a Settlement Agreement
When mutually agreeable terms are reached, your lawyers will prepare settlement documents, which may then be submitted to court.

Learn more about the benefits of Collaborative Law. 

Or contact Pearson Family Lawyers in Sydney to find out if collaborative law could be right for you.