Collaborative practice is about client’s owning and shaping the process by which they resolve their disputes by engaging in open communication and information sharing.
In our collaborative practice we assist and support clients to identify interests and issues, develop options, consider alternatives and make decisions about future actions and outcomes, in a respectful way.
We only work with clients to resolve their matter. If you are unable to settle your matter and need to go to court we will refer you to another lawyer. That way our interests are aligned with yours and focus solely on resolution without resort to litigation in a court.
This process can only be utilised when both parties to a dispute agree.
The process is confidential as between the participants and involves full disclosure of all information between participants and proceeding in a fair way.
What does it look like?
- We will meet with you individually initially to firstly assess whether this process is suitable for you and if so, to then prepare for a face to face meeting with your former partner and their solicitor.
- We will have a face to face meeting with your former partner and their lawyer and discuss and sign a collaborative agreement, followed by identifying interests and issues. In this meeting we will all work together to decide what steps need to be taken by each of us to advance the matter towards settlement. Tasks including timelines for completion will be assigned and a date for our next face to face joint meeting will be arranged.
- If necessary we will seek assistance from other professionals, such as accountants, valuers, or children’s professionals.
- We will continue to have joint meetings until a resolution is reached.
- Throughout the process we will provide you with legal advice, as needed.
- Once an agreement is reached, we will document that and formalise it if necessary.
When does it end?
It ends when you and your former partner agree that it ends, or one of you terminates the agreement to participate in a collaborative process.
We can terminate the agreement in the event that:-
- you knowingly withhold or misrepresent information material to the collaboration process,
- you seek to misuse the process, or
- if one or both parties may be harmed or prejudiced by continuing to participate in the process, or
- the process is no longer effective.
Our Collaborative Practitioner
Deborah Awyzio of our firm is a qualified collaborative practitioner. She is an accredited family law specialist with the Queensland Law Society and has practised in family law since 1996.
Deborah sits on the professional conduct committee of the Queensland Law Society and will serve as Vice President of the Queensland Law Society from January 2014.
Deborah is also currently training to be a family dispute resolution provider and a mediator.
Deborah regularly undertakes continuing legal education in both substantive family law areas as well as the area of domestic violence, ethics and professional conduct and mediation.
Deborah is a member of Queensland Collaborative Law Association and the International Academy of Collaborative Processionals.
We will comply with the Law Council of Australia “Australian Collaborative Practice Guidelines for Lawyers” http://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/lawcouncil/images/LCA-PDF/a-z-docs/CollaborativePracticeGuidelines.pdf and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals Ethical Standards http://www.collaborativepractice.com/media/2863/IACP_Ethical_Standards.pdf
What do participants say who have been through the process?
Testimonials http://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/lawcouncil/images/LCA-PDF/a-z-docs/CollaborativePracticeTestimonial2.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb2NcCNDJvg&feature=player_embedded