Collaborative Law Agreement Sample: What You Need to Know
Collaborative law has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to traditional litigation. This method of dispute resolution involves both parties agreeing to work together to reach a mutually agreeable solution, with the assistance of a team of professionals trained in collaborative law.
If you are considering entering into a collaborative law agreement, it is important to understand what this entails and how to properly execute such an agreement. In this article, we will outline the basics of collaborative law and provide a sample agreement to assist you in understanding the process.
What is Collaborative Law?
Collaborative law is a process whereby both parties agree to resolve their dispute without going to court. Each party will have their own collaborative lawyer, who will work together to reach a resolution.
The collaborative lawyers are assisted by a team of professionals, such as financial experts and mental health professionals, who can provide them with necessary information and support throughout the process.
The goal of collaborative law is to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement that is beneficial to both parties. This can be preferable to litigation, which can be time-consuming, stressful, and expensive.
Collaborative Law Agreement Sample
If you are considering a collaborative law agreement, it is important to have a written agreement in place that outlines the terms and conditions of the process. Here is a sample agreement to assist you in understanding the process:
Collaborative Law Agreement
1. Purpose and Scope of Collaboration
The parties wish to resolve their dispute in a collaborative manner, wherein the parties and their respective collaborative lawyers work together to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution without going to court.
2. Participation in the Collaborative Process
Both parties agree to participate fully and in good faith in the collaborative process. This includes attending meetings with their collaborative lawyers and other professionals, and providing all necessary information in a timely and accurate manner.
3. Confidentiality
All communications made during the collaborative process are confidential and cannot be used as evidence in any subsequent litigation. The collaborative lawyers and other professionals involved in the process will also maintain strict confidentiality.
4. Termination of Collaboration
If either party decides to terminate the collaboration at any point, both parties will need to seek alternative forms of dispute resolution. The collaborative lawyers and other professionals cannot represent either party in any subsequent litigation.
5. Costs
Both parties agree to share the costs associated with the collaborative process, including the fees of their collaborative lawyers and any other professionals involved in the process.
Conclusion
Collaborative law is an effective alternative to traditional litigation, allowing parties to reach a mutually beneficial resolution without going to court. If you are considering a collaborative law agreement, it is important to understand the process and have a written agreement in place to ensure that both parties are on the same page throughout the process. Use the sample agreement provided here as a guide to drafting your own collaborative law agreement.
