Launch of Collaborative Law in West and North Yorkshire

Shulmans' family law lawyer Justine Osmortherley, pictured left, attended the launch of the Collaborative Family Law in West and North Yorkshire on Wednesday 12th March 2008 at the Civic Hall, Leeds in the presence of the Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Brian Cleasby and the Lady Mayoress of Leeds.

Justine is one of a very small number of fully qualified collaborative law lawyers in West Yorkshire and she says "Recent statistics suggest that almost half UK marriages end in failure.  Anyone going through a divorce will have stories of the upset and emotional turmoil that such a breakdown can cause.   Often a bad experience in divorce can result in bitterness and sadness for the children, the parties themselves and often their support network.  These feelings can last for a number of years."

"In collaborative law we recognise the importance of the parties talking to each other to resolve the issues that each of them face.   It enables the parties to keep control of their own situation and gain the benefits from reaching joint agreements.   In the collaborative approach we sit down together with both parties and both Solicitors and commit to sort out the problems together.  We enter a written agreement not to go to Court which means if the discussions break down both parties have to instruct new lawyers.  We find that by having this as an overriding factor it actually means that the parties must work hard together to make the agreement work.  It is not an easy alternative to Court."

"It is not an easy route to go down and the parties often find it very difficult.  However, in the long term it leads to a better outcome for both parties and often means that parents can still attend parents evenings together, sports day and even their own children’s wedding, without the usual hurt, anger and bitterness that comes out of this process."

For more information contact Justine Osmotherley on 0113 2977734

or at josmotherley@shulmans.co.uk

News date 13th March 2008