Collaborative divorce solicitors
In the collaborative process, you and your former partner each instruct a collaboratively trained lawyer, and all four of you work together to reach agreement through a series of face-to-face meetings. You each commit at the outset to resolving matters without going to court. Rushton Family Law advises on whether the collaborative process suits your situation and acts for you throughout.
Collaborative law at a glance
- You and your former partner each have a collaboratively trained lawyer, and all four of you meet to reach agreement.
- You both commit at the outset to resolving matters without going to court.
- Other professionals, such as a financial neutral or family consultant, can join where helpful.
- If the process breaks down, both lawyers must step aside and you each instruct new ones.
- It works best where you both want to agree and are prepared to be open about your finances.
Specialist Divorce and Family Lawyers
Rushton provides discreet representation for divorce, financial settlements, and arrangements for children. We treat every case with the care it deserves, without losing sight of what actually needs to get done.
When it really matters
Getting advice on collaborative law
We start by understanding what needs resolving and whether the collaborative process is likely to work for you. That means how well you and your former partner can communicate, whether you are both committed to reaching agreement, whether the finances are reasonably transparent, and whether there are any concerns about abuse or control that would make it unsuitable.
From there, we will explain how the process would work in your case and what it would involve.
How collaborative law works
At the start, you, your former partner and both lawyers sign a participation agreement, committing to resolve matters through the collaborative process and to give full and honest disclosure. The work then takes place in a series of four-way meetings, with an agreed agenda for each. Between meetings, your lawyer advises you privately and helps you prepare.
Once agreement is reached, we draft it into a consent order for the court to approve, so that it becomes legally binding. [Link: Consent orders and clean breaks]
Bringing in other professionals
Where it would help, other professionals can join the process. These might include a financial neutral to gather and explain the financial information, a family consultant to support communication, or a child specialist to make sure the children’s perspective is considered.
If the collaborative process breaks down
The participation agreement means that if the process breaks down and either of you goes to court, both collaborative lawyers must step aside, and you would each need to instruct new lawyers. This gives everyone a strong incentive to make the process work, but it is an important commitment, and we will make sure you understand it before you sign.
Is collaborative law right for you?
The collaborative process works best where you both want to reach agreement, can communicate reasonably well, and are prepared to be open about your finances. It’s less suitable where there is significant mistrust, a history of abuse, or a risk that one side won’t disclose their finances fully. If collaborative law isn’t the right fit, we will advise you on the alternatives.
RELATED SERVICES
When court is necessary
Non-court options aren’t suitable in every case, particularly where there are concerns about domestic abuse, where one side won’t engage or disclose their finances, or where urgent orders are needed. In those situations, we will advise you on applying to court and act for you through the proceedings.
Our Team
Our team of specialist family solicitors offer expert advice in proportion to what’s at stake for you. We advise on all areas of family law and bring the same care and high standard to every family we work with.
Amie Pine
Partner - Divorce & Family
Emma Shortland
Associate
Ella Perry
Assistant Solicitor
Samantha Patel
Legal Support Assistant
Reviews and testimonials
Firstly, Amie Pine. This particular solicitor is an absolute master of her craft. She's knowledgeable, caring, understandable, professional and always one step ahead
The second person I would like to mention in my review is Emma Shortland. Her knowledge of the law is incredible. Please don't let her age put you off, as upon those very young shoulders is a very wise head.
Amie was brilliant helping me through and managing my divorce financials both professionally and personally, cannot recommend enough, thanks again Amie!
I recently went through a difficult divorce, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by my solicitor, Amie Pine.
From the very beginning, Amie provided clear, concise guidance and her expertise, professionalism, and compassion made a significant difference during this challenging time.
Amie was always available to answer my questions, no matter how trivial they seemed, and provided reassurance during the most stressful moments.
Amie was not only a legal advisor but also a pillar of support, helping me navigate the emotional and financial aspects.
Thank you, Amie, for making a difficult time more manageable and for helping me move forward with my life.
Amie Pine has helped me get through a financially and emotionally challenging divorce with great empathy, expert advice and the utmost professionalism.
She is always responsive and worked quickly to ensure the matter progressed despite the other party's delays and unreasonable demands. Thank you Amie - it's been a real pleasure having you represent me.
Nicola and the team are the best support you could ask for at the most difficult of times.
As well as being knowledgeable, forward thinking, organised and hard-working, [Nicola] has empathy and goes above and beyond for her clients.
I feel safer and not alone, knowing that I have Nicola's support - securing her to act for me was a huge weight lifted. No matter what the result, I am confident that she will have secured the best outcome possible.
outstanding legal representation when it really matters
FAQs
In mediation, an independent mediator helps you reach your own agreement but can’t advise either of you. In arbitration, an arbitrator you both choose decides the dispute, and the decision is binding. In collaborative law, you each have your own lawyer, and all four of you work together in meetings to reach agreement, committing at the outset not to go to court.
Since no-fault divorce was introduced, neither of you has to blame the other, and you can apply jointly. Beyond that, mediation, collaborative law and negotiation between solicitors all help couples reach agreement without a court battle. We can advise you on which approach best suits your circumstances.
A round table meeting brings you, your former partner and both solicitors together to discuss and try to resolve the issues. It is similar to a collaborative meeting, but without the formal commitment to stay out of court. If the meeting doesn’t produce an agreement, your solicitors can continue to act for you in court proceedings.
Yes. Most settlements are reached through negotiation between solicitors, by correspondence, round table meetings or a combination of both. Once terms are agreed, we draft them into a consent order for the court to approve, so the agreement becomes legally binding without a contested hearing.
If the process breaks down and either of you goes to court, both collaborative lawyers must step aside, and you would each need to instruct new lawyers. This gives everyone a strong reason to make the process work, but it is a significant commitment, so we will make sure you understand it before you sign.
How we work
An experienced family solicitor will run your matter from the first meeting onwards, and you will deal with them directly rather than being passed between members of a team.
Part of their job is to help you decide where your time and money are best spent. In most divorces there are points worth pressing and points that make little difference to the end result, and we will be straightforward with you about which is which.
A lot of matters are resolved through negotiation or mediation, and where that is realistic we will recommend it. Where it is not, because the other side will not engage, or disclosure is incomplete, or the issues are genuinely contested, we will advise you on taking the matter to court and act for you there.
Rushton Family Law is the sister brand of Vardags. If your case involves complex finances or international issues, we will introduce you to the Vardags team.
Request a confidential call
Please share a few details about your circumstances and one of our specialist family lawyers will contact you at a convenient time. If a telephone call is not suitable, please let us know your preferred method of contact.
