Our approach

We encourage clients to resolve matters in a non-confrontational way whenever possible to try to minimise the long-term consequences of divorce. There are a number of different approaches we can adopt to help you and these are as follows:

Mediation

Mediation is a process which involves a series of meetings between parties together with a trained impartial mediator who helps them to discuss, clarify and resolve the issues arising between them. Mediation can assist with children and financial matters. We can refer you to a mediator if appropriate but please note you will still require your own legal advice before, during and sometimes after in order to have the agreement turned into a court order where appropriate.

Collaborative

In the collaborative approach, each party is represented and advised by a trained collaborative lawyer. Instead of conducting negotiation by correspondence and applications to court, discussions and negotiations take place in "4-way" meetings with both parties and their lawyers.  If there are some matters requiring expert assistance such as valuers, accountants or independent financial advisors they can be included in the team to help find personal, dynamic and constructive solutions.

Sara Wigg is our trained collaborative lawyer.

This approach often appeals to those seeking a high level of privacy and respect with a minimum of intrusion and at a pace and time to suit busy lifestyles.

"I have been very grateful for the way in which using the collaborative lawyership scheme we were able to work constructively through my divorce." Collaborative client testimonial

Negotiations

Most people do not want to go to court. If any negotiations direct with your spouse/partner break down you can instruct us to assist. Negotiations can continue using lawyers and are conducted on a case sensitive basis which may include round table meetings.  Each party must provide full and frank disclosure of their financial positions and any relevant information relating to their children. 

Court proceedings

The court process is available to the parties if they cannot reach agreement.  Even when court proceedings are issued the court process is geared towards assisting the parties to reach an agreement. If this is not possible a Judge will decide the issues between them.