Legal Experts Offer Alternative Solution To Warring Couples As D-Day Looms

Family Law Experts offer legal advice on "Divorce Day"

07/01/2008

THE days immediately following the Christmas and New Year period are traditionally some of the busiest of the year for those in the legal profession specialising in marital breakdown. Many unhappy couples begin divorce proceedings as the often stressful period of Christmas and New Year comes to an end.

January 7th is referred to by many in the profession as "D-Day", as it is the day when the most couples contact their solicitors to start divorce proceedings.

But a group of collaboratively trained solicitors and professionals have come together to demonstrate that couples can separate with dignity using a new alternative to Court Litigation.

Launched today, Collaborative Solutions will provide support and advice to families wishing to avoid lengthy, costly and often public court-based procedure using the principles of Collaborative Law.

Collaborative Law is a process by which parties and their lawyers hold meetings to find agreements that fit both parties and reach realistic and lasting solutions.

The approach is increasingly popular and is now supported by the judiciary. The Honourable Mr Justice Coleridge, Judge at first instance in the high profile Charman vs Charman case says: 'I am sure that this process will change the culture and the environment of family dispute resolution in the coming years'.

Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Family Law expert

Elizabeth Hicks Partner at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and a member of Collaborative Solutions says "Collaborative Solutions brings together a number of professionals from different disciplines who will work together as a team. This unique multi-disciplinary approach means it is more likely that an agreed solution can be found in all personal relationships including pre-nuptial or cohabitation agreements, and disputes around children or finances."

Collaborative Solutions Family Solicitors are drawn from the leading law firms across London and are recognised leaders in their field.

In addition, all of the other participating professional advisors are trained in, or committed to the Collaborative Law process and work in areas including Chartered Accountancy, Pension and Independent Financial Advisors, Land & Property Advisors and Wealth Planning Advisors.

Family Law advice

Quotes from participating professional advisers:

Duncan Carmichael-Jack of UBS says "Divorce proceedings can have huge financial implications to both parties. The Collaborative Solutions process enables complete financial disclosure in an amicable and open manner, and focuses on the importance of understanding each parties future financial requirements to suit their lifestyle, expenditure and income needs. Furthermore, it allows us the opportunity to build a relationship with each partner giving them sound and impartial advice."

Ruaraidh Adams-Cairns of Savills says "Having been involved with the property aspects of big money divorces over the last 15 years or so I am excited by Collaborative Solutions. Originally I only acted as a Sole Expert for one side or other, then post Lord Wolfe's reforms I have become increasingly retained to act between the parties. This approach gives me and the parties themselves the opportunity to resolve issues at an earlier time and in the spirit of co-operation rather than litigation."

Suzy Power, Family Consultant says "It's so much better for the children when their parents are able to work collaboratively and discuss the details of their children's' care without animosity. My experience is that children benefit hugely from seeing their parents work together to agree arrangements for school pick ups, birthday parties or how they'll spend time with them at weekends. It avoids the children having to take sides or becoming caught in any parental acrimony. They trust their parents to make good decisions and this adds to their security and confidence."

The group has launched a website www.collaborativesolutions.co.uk to explain the benefits of the collaborative approach and more details on its members.

For further information please contact Elizabeth Hicks on 0207 421 3966 or 07802 928 055 or visit www.collaborativesolutions.co.uk.