Last updated on August 18th, 2015 at 03:07 pm

No it isn’t. Court is not the only route to getting a divorce and Graysons WE’s award winning family team can offer a range of alternatives that will suit anyone wanting to avoid the hostility and recriminations of the court room battle.

Collaborative law is an increasingly popular way to approach family disputes in the UK.  The process involves a couple signing an agreement that commits them to resolving their issues without going to court at 4-way meetings, where the couple work as a team with their independently chosen and specially trained collaborative lawyers, constructively focussing on issues that are most important to them – typically this is children and finances.   The process is client-led and tailored to meet their specific requirements, and solutions can be far more creative than in the restraints of the court room.  Generally, the divorcing couple will take the lead in the discussions and the solicitors are there to support them.  Sandra Russell, head of the family department at Graysons WE, is a trained collaborative solicitor who is well known in the region for her success in helping couples end their relationship in this positive, forward focussed, collaborative way.

She also helps couples to settle their disputes via round table meetings, which, whilst similar to collaborative law, are not subject to the couple signing an agreement which prevents litigation.  In round table meetings, an agenda is set which can lead to a divorce agreement without the need to see a judge.  These meetings tend to be led by the lawyers, are generally more positional, yet can be as formal or relaxed as each couple want.

If couples are committed to these non-litigious routes to resolving family disputes, both can be less aggressive, less stressful, and often significantly cheaper than the more traditional contentious route, but the major benefit is on the family.  Working in this way can reduce anger and the loss of self-esteem, which often occurs when relationships break down, and help to keep a level of friendship and dignity that can only be good for the divorcing couple and their family.

So for those looking to continue their lives in control of their own, and their children’s, interests, whilst retaining some level of respect for their ex, Graysons WE can offer the most effective solution with its non-contentious routes to divorce.

For more information, please contact Graysons WE’s family department now.