Why might one choose Collaborative Law over Mediation?
In mediation, the participants negotiate for themselves with a neutral third party helping to guide the discussions. While the mediator may give legal information to the participants, he or she may not give legal advice to either. Some people, for various reasons, are not comfortable negotiating on their own behalf. For example, there may be a pronounced imbalance of power between the spouses. Moreover, there are those who do not trust themselves during such emotional and vulnerable times to speak up adequately for themselves. In Collaborative Law, the lawyers take the lead in the negotiations. Frequently, the lawyers and clients meet together in “four-way” negotiations.
