Legal Updates

SENIOR SOLICITOR QUALIFIES IN COLLABORATIVE LAW

25/10/2011

The head of family law at Leamington solicitors Blythe Liggins has now qualified in collaborative law, a relatively new approach to managing the divorce process.
Andrew Brooks, a partner at Blythe Liggins who became head of the six-strong family law department ten years ago, said collaborative law offered couples the option of not having to go to court.
“It has fundamentally changed the way that people think about divorce and I was very keen that our clients should be able to benefit from it,” he said.
“It offers an alternative approach for those people who genuinely want to reach a fair solution, divorce amicably and maintain a relationship for the sake of their children.”
Mr Brooks said that many couples did not want to be involved in an adversarial process which could further damage their relationship and which ultimately did not help when they needed to co-operate in fulfilling their role as parents.
The objective is to reach an agreement that both sides are satisfied with, without the uncertainty, not to mention the expense, of a litigious process.
Collaborative lawyers sign an agreement which disqualifies them from representing the client in court if the collaborative process breaks down. “This means that they are absolutely committed to helping couples find the best solutions by agreement, rather than through conflict,” said Mr Brooks.

PHOTO CAPTION: Andrew Brooks of Blythe Liggins