Howes Percival senior family law solicitor Justine Flack has qualified as a Collaborative Lawyer.

Both Jane Cowley, who heads up Howes Percival"s family team, and Justine are now able to offer the collaborative law approach as a means of settling disputes between separating couples.

Collaborative law offers an alternative to the traditional routes for resolution of family issues. It allows couples (with the support of their lawyers) to take responsibility for the process, to negotiate with the aim of reaching a solution which is best for them, and to be in control of the outcome. The fact that a settlement is agreed between the couple often minimises the emotional cost of divorce.

Working things out directly with a former partner can enable people to more easily move on, and it can be of great benefit where there are children in a family. Whilst many of the links between a couple are severed when a relationship breaks down, they still remain parents of the children and so may still need to find a way to work together. A collaborative settlement is a good foundation for this.

A collaborative approach can also be used at the start of a relationship. For those wishing to negotiate a Prenuptial or Premarital Agreement, it provides the ideal opportunity for open discussion and negotiation.

All lawyers who are collaboratively trained are specialist family lawyers, usually with a wealth of experience. This approach encourages lawyers to focus on solutions, rather than confrontation, and so it takes a committed and forward-thinking lawyer to embrace this method.

Justine, who joined Howes Percival"s new and growing Family Law Team earlier this year, said: “I"m very pleased to have qualified as a Collaborative Lawyer and look forward to putting this into practice in our work with families in Leicestershire and beyond.”

Jane Cowley, Family Law Partner and Head of the East Midlands Private Client Group at Howes Percival, said: “The skills and knowledge within our team is advancing all the time, which will benefit our clients at what can be a difficult time for them.”

* If you feel the collaborative approach would be right for you, or if you wish to discuss any other family matters, please contact either Justine Flack on 0116 247 3564 or justine.flack@howespercival.com or Jane Cowley on 0116 247 3596 or jane.cowley@howespercival.com.