The traditional “adversarial” approach to Divorce has long provided juicy reading material for the great British public. Remember the McCartney v Mills litigation - complete with allegations of media manipulation and lawyers getting a drenching in the courtroom when someone lost their temper? Doubtless a right rollicking read but somewhat unedifying for the participants. Surely there must be a better way to resolve matrimonial disputes? That’s what leading lawyers in the Midlands believe and to prove it they’ve put their weight behind a new approach called “Collaborative Law”. Not a particularly catchy phrase but one that should become more familiar over time. So what is “Collaborative Law” all about?
Nick Wynn-Williams President of the Wolverhampton Law Society and himself a trained Collaborative Lawyer said “ Collaborative Law offers parties involved in the break up of a relationship a constructive way of reaching a resolution of all issues between them including both finances and children. The parties are encouraged to come to an amicable agreement. To achieve this their legal representatives take on the role of a facilitator rather than the more traditional “hired gun” approach where the aim has often been to knock spots off the opponent.”
Within the Wolverhampton area a regional group of specialists has been set up which brings together Solicitors, Accountants, Independent Financial Advisers and other professionals who have both embraced the “Collaborative” approach and received in depth training in the field.
The more constructive ethos behind Collaborative Law has already proved to have benefited children who often find themselves caught in the cross fire between warring parents and it also has the full support of the Judiciary. Family Specialist and High Court Judge Mr Justice Coleridge said: “I am a huge fan of the Collaborative Law Process which forces lawyers and their parties to rethink from scratch their whole mindset and approach to a dispute”
More details and a list of local solicitors who offer Collaborative Law can be found at www.resolution.org.uk
