Click here for main page content Click here for main services navigation Click here for company information navigation Click here to sign-up to newsletter Click here for site legal information Click here to contact us Click here to return to homepage

Alternatives to Court

When going through relationship breakdown many people understandably worry about having to go to court.  There are however other options available to you which we are able to offer such as mediation and a new approach called collaborative law.

What is Collaborative Law?

Collaborative law aims to resolve family disputes without going to court.  It focuses on finding the best solutions for you and your partner through face to face meetings rather than emails or phone, free from the pressures of court date deadlines.

Each of you will be represented by a solicitor qualified in Collaborative law throughout the process who will sign an agreement that will not enable them to represent you should the process break down.  

The benefits of the collaborative approach

  • It lets you take control of your separation - without the fear of courtroom animosity
  • You talk about the issues that are most relevant to you - the agenda is set by you
  • The decisions are made by you - not a judge in a courtroom
  • The timetable is driven by you - not set court dates
  • The proceedings of collaborative law are confidential - they will not be aired in public


What is the cost?

As the process is often shorter the cost of collaborative law can be less costly - including the possible emotional cost to you and your children.

Jo

Jo Stone

Partner

01872 265100

Jo is a partner in charge of the Truro Family Team and deals with a range of family matters, disputes concerning children, injunction work and representing unmarried couples on separation.

More Info

Mark

Mark Smith

Partner

01392 210700

Mark joined the firm in 1998 and is a partner in the Family Team in Exeter. Mark deals with all aspects of family work, including adoption and civil partnerships. Mark has considerable experience in both private and public law children matters including international relocation cases and is a member of the Law Society's Childrens Panel.

More Info

Liz

Liz Allen

Partner

01392 210700

Liz is a partner and Team Leader for the Devon Family Team. She joined the firm in 1989 and became a partner in 1993. She has over 20 years' experience in all areas of family law, specialising in financial and business divorce settlements.

More Info

Contact

This six-partner team is spread across offices in Truro, Exeter and St Austell. Its highly skilled lawyers handle some of the region's most complicated financial cases, and also undertake a range of children work. Sources say: "They have built up a very good reputation for money work involving businesses and farms." One impressed observer noted that "they are the best in the South West" for farming cases.

Independent legal guide

Chambers and Partners 2011

Testimonials

Family Solicitor reports on NSPCC Research

The NSPCC has recently has recently released a report warning that hundreds of children currently in...

Read more

Getting More Child Support

The Child Support Agency was originally created to get money out of parents who were either not payi...

Read more

Related