The Good Divorce – No. 5

Round Table Meetings

Divorce is sometimes unavoidable.  Sometimes it will be devastating for one or both of the parties involved, but sometimes it is liberating.  In almost every case there will be very much emotion, stress and cost involved.  Even in amicable separations it is possible for the divorce process to sour relations and create conflict, rather than resolve conflict.

The question often posed is whether there is such a thing as “a good divorce?”  William Giles is a specialist family law Solicitor of 25 years’ experience.  He recognises that the process of divorce can be expensive, emotional and stressful.  It can be distressing and de-stabilising for both parents and children.

In this series of articles William provides advice and assistance as to ways to minimise conflict, promote solutions rather than focus on process and ways to minimise conflict.

Call us now for an initial discussion as to how you can reduce the conflict, stress and cost of divorce and seek to achieve a good divorce.

Round table meetings

This is a process where the couple will appoint Solicitors and use a series of round table meetings to resolve their issues.

The Solicitors will need to consider, advise and agree on the rules relating to the process.  This is likely to involve discussion concerning whether the discussions are “open”, meaning that they could be referred to in Court, or “without prejudice”, meaning that they could not be referred to in Court.  The process has more freedom than the collaborative process as the couple will not be asked to sign a Participation Agreement by which they cannot proceed to Court.

The round table process therefore allows couples to negotiate on a face-to-face basis, but if these discussions do not engineer a settlement, the couple have the option of applying to Court.

Most Solicitors would insist on the round table meetings being “without prejudice” so that the discussions cannot be referred to in Court.  This allows the couple to have wide ranging discussions without being fixed by their last offer.  This can help to promote a settlement.  This process may be used as part of other negotiations between Solicitors, or the couple themselves.

William Giles is a Family Law Solicitor, Mediator and Collaborative Practitioner with Woollcombe Yonge Solicitors.  If you are contemplating divorce, or going through a divorce process and wish to have an initial free discussion with Will, please telephone on (01752) 827912.