Collaborative Family Law is a process wherein each party hires a specially trained lawyer to assist with negotiations in a respectful non-confrontational manner.
The parties and lawyers sign an agreement that includes a provision that they will not go to court, as well as guidelines for conducting negotiations that foster co-operation, respect and safety.
Collaborative lawyers believe the court system based on conflict with “winners” and “losers” can be counter productive and unnecessary for many separating couples and have created a process that focuses on “interests” rather than legal rights per se.
Lawyers who provide services in Collaborative Family Law
Note
If providing Collaborative Family Law Services, a Lawyer must have taken the required Collaborative Family Practice training as required by the OACP and Collaborative Practice Ottawa and be a practicing panel member of Collaborative Practice Ottawa.