Amy Barrow
Partner
There are occasions when clients can resolve their problems through mediation or collaborative law rather than going through the family court. We will always support clients who want to avoid conflict and negotiate their own arrangements.
Mediation involves the couple sitting down together with a mediator who will facilitate discussion and assist the individuals to find their own solutions. The mediator cannot give legal advice and will not prepare court documents so each client will need to instruct their own lawyer.
Collaborative law involves each client being represented by their own collaborative lawyer and all negotiations take place at a number of 4 way meetings where each client, supported by their lawyer, sits around the table and negotiates their own settlements. We find that couples can often resolve their disputes and achieve a solution which best suits them in only two or three meetings.