Working with change...

Government cut backs - something we are all acutely aware of as the Coalition tries to make an impact on drawing back the country's deficit. Few areas are left untouched and one of the areas targeted is the court system.

Family Justice system is under specific review by the Family Justice Review Panel with the task of making the system "simpler, more cost-effective, timely and just".

Not an easy task when the courts are already stretched. So how can we get around this problem and limit the effect on our clients?

The specialist family law team at Harvey Ingram is focused on finding alternatives to court for resolving family issues.

Resolving problems through negotiation tends to be a route which for the majority is less costly in emotional as well as financial terms.

Mediation is an option which most people are now aware of and involves both parties (usually husband and wife) meeting with a third party to facilitate an agreement. However, we recognise it isn't necessarily suitable for every case and understandably, clients often want to know their advisor is on hand to help during the negotiation process.

This is where collaborative law presents an attractive alternative.

Both parties instruct their own collaborative lawyer, and the four attend a series of meetings to resolve issues which the parties themselves prioritise. This could include for example, arrangements for the children, what should happen with the day to day running of a business and the ongoing payment of bills. No one external sets the agenda.

This results in a solutions based approach dealing with the problems that matter most to the parties in the order they consider most important to them.

Central to the collaborative process is the parties' agreement that they will not issue court proceedings sidestepping any delays which could be caused by court involvement.

Facing family issues can be challenging in itself, so we are always seeking to ensure that we match the right method of resolving those issues to each client's situation - guaranteeing a bespoke approach.

If you would like information on collaborative law, or any aspect of family law, please contact Katherine Marshall on katherine.marshall@harveyingram.com or call 0116 257 6139.