What does Collaborative Practice involve?
• Each party retains a Lawyer to advise them throughout the process; • Experts from the financial and mental health communities may be involved in the process as experts or consultants; • At the commencement of the case a team involving Collaborative Lawyers, Mental Health Professionals, Coaches, Child Specialists and Financial Specialists where applicable may be established; • The parties and the relevant professionals sign a Collaborative Agreement setting out the ground rules for the process and agreeing that if the matter is not resolved through the Collaborative Process both Lawyers and other Collaborative Professionals are disqualified from representing either client in those proceedings; • The process is underpinned by an understanding that the parties/the lawyers and other professionals involved act in good faith, are open and honest in their dealings with each other and conduct themselves in a respectful way; • The majority of the negotiations take place at face to face meetin
