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Tue 29th May 2007
Progressive approach to Family law

Couples in Bedfordshire who regrettably are looking to divorce, but wish to deal with the matter in a respectful, considered and understanding way, now have the opportunity to approach some of the regions leading legal specialists and benefit from a new "collaborative" approach being pioneered by  them.

Bedfordshire now has 4 Firms, all members of the campaigning family lawyers group, Resolution, who hav etrained members able to deliver this new approach. Together they are helping to ease the emotional pain and financial cost of family breakdown.

The most recent statistics from the National Statistics Board suggest that almost half of UK marriages will end in divorce, the real cost is the personal and emotional heartache that so often accompanies the end of relationships, these facts are made even more damming particularly when there are children involved.

Claire Trundley from Park Woodfine Heald Mellows LLP says: "The process of divorce can be a battle, the traditional divorce process of instructing a solicitor, who then speaks to your former spouses solicitor, can, in some instances become a drawn out, stressful, and upsetting time." She says, "With collaborative law, yes there are still legal representatives, yet you sit down together with your former partner, and make a commitment to sorting it out together. You share your hopes, aspirations, your expectations and even your fears, and you work together to create an agreement that is acceptable and manageable for both people."

Can it work for all couples? Surely there must be those for whom there is bitterness, anger, and emotional pain which might act as a barrier?  Claire says "In some instances collaborative law may not be the best route to take, but what we in the Bedfordshire Collaborative Law group say is there should always an amicable, considerate, and respectful way to deal with every issue, no matter how emotional matters are. We feel very strongly that the majority of our clients in Bedfordshire are open to working with our Group to ensure that former husbands and wives are respected at all times."

Of course when children are involved, the need to show a level of maturity, respect, and consideration for each other is paramount. Claire says "children pick up on the smallest of details, parents owe it to their children to respect their families emotional well being, this is where collaborative law leads the way. With parents dealing with matters in an open, honest, and considered way, any children affected will see a level of maturity, consideration and openness which are all positive emotions to be taken from the end of a relationship."