Are Collaborative and Cooperative Law the same as Mediation?
No. Mediation is a process in which a mediator, who is a neutral third party, facilitates the resolution of disputes by meeting with the parties and helping the parties resolve their dispute. The parties do not need to be represented by attorneys in mediation, although sometimes parties have attorneys present with them. In Collaborative and Cooperative Law, the parties hire attorneys to represent them and advocate on their behalf. During the Collaborative or Cooperative Law process, the parties and their attorneys may agree to use mediation as a way to help them resolve their disputes.
