Collaborative Family Practice

Collaborative Family Practice is a new approach to assist clients in settling their disagreements without going to court. Collaboratively trained lawyers use co-operative strategies rather than adversarial approaches such as litigation. Lawyers and their clients meet in a series of 4-way meetings in order to find a mutually acceptable settlement. The lawyers act as negotiation coaches to the parties and provide them with legal advice when appropriate. The costs of child and financial specialists are shared.

Collaborative Family Practice offers clients a way to retain control of the negotiation process, while at the same time having the benefit of a legal advocate with them throughout the process.

Lawyers assist their clients in meeting their underlying needs and interests, a strategy that maximizes the results for both of them.

Lawyers commit to each other and the parties that they will not commence litigation during negotiations, and they will withdraw from the case if their client decides to litigate. Parties and their lawyers also agree to negotiate in good faith and provide all relevant information required to make fully informed decisions.

Ms. Hallman is a collaboratively trained lawyer who will act as a legal advisor and negotiation coach for one party.