AL&H offers Collaborative Law - the no court divorce

West Sussex law firm Anderson Longmore and Higham (AL&H) is pleased to announce that, further to the arrival of new partner and head of family law Edward Cooke, the firm now offers a new service - Collaborative Law.

Collaborative Law is a process that helps separating couples resolve the issues that arise from their relationship breakdown via a series of roundtable meetings - without recourse to the courts.

Each person has the support of their own, specially-trained collaborative family lawyer at the meetings. At the outset, each person signs a “Participation Agreement” committing to the process. This also means that, if either person pulls out of the process, both will need to find new lawyers. As a result, a powerful incentive is built into the process which encourages everyone taking part to make it work.

Edward Cooke was one of the first family lawyers in West Sussex to train as a Collaborative Lawyer and is also a founder member of a local group of collaborative family lawyers, known as the Chichester and South Downs Collaborative Pod. The group seeks to encourage and develop collaborative family practice in West Sussex as an alternative to the sometimes adversarial nature of the court system.

Edward said that collaborative family law has many benefits.

“Separating or going through a divorce is amongst the most stressful events that a person can go through. Collaborative Law offers a real alternative to the traditional court process, which all too often can be very stressful but also can be uncertain in its outcome,” he said.

“Clearly there will still be situations where people look at a range of other options (which may include court). However, for couples who wish to find their own solutions, with the help of sympathetic professionals, in a dignified setting, Collaborative Law provides a real alternative.”

Edward explained that within the collaborative process it is possible to bring in other professionals, such as financial advisors or accountants to assist with financial issues and family therapists to assist with issues relating to children.

“This is another very attractive feature of the collaborative model,” Edward said.

“The use of other professionals is not necessary in every case, but where appropriate it can be very helpful. The collaborative process is a holistic process, with the focus throughout being on enabling the couple to reach their own solution, tailored to the needs of the family as a whole.”

For further information on Collaborative Law, please visit www.alhlaw.co.uk. To make an appointment, please contact Edward Cooke at Anderson Longmore and Higham’s Petworth office on tel: 01798 342391.