At the recent 5th anniversary of Collaborative Law in the UK, Mr Justice Coleridge, a senior High Court Family Judge, offered his support to the Collaborative process.

Five years ago, when Collaborative Law reached the UK from America, only a handful of lawyers were trained. Now there are over 1250 lawyers trained in this specialised area.

Once agreement has been reached via four way, face to face meetings between husband, wife and their lawyers, the lawyers draw up a Consent Order which is then approved by the Court. Historically, this process could take 3-4 months depending upon the workload of the Court concerned.

Mr Justice Coleridge has announced a fast track procedure whereby the Consent Order can be approved within a couple of days. This welcome change in practice came following a couple asking for urgent approval of their settlement because one was about to move to the United States with the children.

Collaborative Law is the most exciting development within family law in years and one which can truly benefit the long term relationship of the people involved.

Victoria Withers
Family Law Solicitor