Keeping it in the family - how collaborative family law suits those who want to keep their marital difficulties private.
The Cumberland Ellis family law team has 3 qualified collaborative specialists, and one mediator. Collaborative law is a process where the separating couple, and their individual solicitors (so 4 people in all) meet round a table, in complete confidence, to negotiate their way through the financial and other changes that need to be sorted out. The whole idea is to make sure that the situation remains in the control of the couple (for example, respecting any important events such as a company year end, or the graduation from college of a child – all events that would usually be ignored when fixing the timetable for resolution of a family law case) , that the courts do not get involved, and that there is an outcome based on the respective interests of the couple, not on posturing or position taking which can embitter many separations. Increasingly other professionals become involved as consultants, perhaps a family specialist for issues relating to child welfare, or an accountant for tax problems, or a surveyor to advise on property.
The law changed on 27th April, and following the Government's commitment to opening the family courts to the public and to the media, those who wish to ensure that their private family troubles do not become public knowledge find that using collaborative lawyers in a fully collaborative process is a good way to manage these risks.
Conrad Adam
Partner, Family
