The Collaborative Process
Initial Contact
Step 1: Making Initial Contact
Initial contact can be made with any of our collaboratively trained practitioners — a family lawyer, collaborative facilitator, or financial specialist.
At this first consultation, your practitioner will discuss your situation with you and assess whether your matter can be addressed collaboratively.
If suitable, your spouse or partner will be invited to participate and choose their own collaborative team.
Building the Team
Step 2: Forming Your Collaborative Team
Once both parties agree to proceed, a full collaborative team is put in place.
A typical team consists of:
Two collaboratively trained family lawyers (one for each client)
One or two collaborative facilitators to support emotional and parenting matters
A child specialist and/or financial professional, if required
All professionals involved are specially trained in Collaborative Practice.
The Participation Agreement
Step 3: Commitment to the Process
At the first joint meeting, all participants sign a Collaborative Participation Agreement.
This agreement confirms that:
Everyone commits to working in good faith
The goal is a mutually beneficial settlement
There is no threat of court proceedings during the process
The agreement includes a court disqualification clause, meaning the collaborative lawyers cannot represent either party in contested litigation. This encourages all involved to work constructively toward resolution
Collaborative Meetings
Step 4: Structured Collaborative Meetings
Once everyone agrees to participate, a schedule of meetings is arranged.
Both clients and their teams attend the meetings together.
The process is flexible and adapts to the unique needs of each family.
Ample time is allocated for discussion, and clients receive expert guidance, support and advice throughout.
While legal advice is integral to the process, the decisions remain yours.
(If you’d like, we can add the 5–8 meeting expectation here.)
Financial Disclosure
Step 5: Full Financial Disclosure
Full financial disclosure is an essential part of the process.
This is achieved through the exchange of sworn documents known as Affidavits of Means, setting out:
Assets
Liabilities
Income
Outgoings
Pensions
These documents form the basis for informed discussion and negotiation.
Reaching Agreement
Step 6: Drafting the Agreement
Once agreement has been reached on all matters, the collaborative lawyers draft the legal documents reflecting what has been agreed.
This may include:
A Separation Agreement
Terms of Settlement
Pension Adjustment Orders (if applicable)
Final Court Step
Final Step: Court Order
While the terms of divorce can be agreed within the collaborative process, it is the Court that grants the legal Divorce Decree.
Once all issues have been agreed, this is typically a straightforward administrative step at the end of the process.
The Collaborative Process:
A Guide for Separating Couples
What happens at collaborative six way meetings?
Introducing Collaborative Practice to Your Spouse/Partner
Both parties must agree to engage in the collaborative process. Each person instructs their own solicitor or family consultant who has received specific training in collaborative practice. Not all family lawyers or consultants are trained in this approach.
If you would like to introduce collaborative practice to your spouse or partner, the Association of Collaborative Practitioners has prepared a guide explaining how the process works and what to expect. The guide is suitable for printing or sharing electronically.