Lawyer aims to take the battle out of divorce

In the run-up to D-Day on 12 January – the day when feuding couples are most likely to start divorce proceedings – a lawyer is on a mission to make people aware that there is a less stressful way to split up.

Carol Grundell, a partner with law firm DWF, is a specialist in collaborative law, a revolutionary approach which helps to ease the pain of divorce for couples and their children. The system aims to avoid costly and confrontational court battles. Instead both partners commit to settling matters out of court by working together to reach a mutual agreement with the help of their lawyers.

Whereas usually negotiations are conducted by letters or phone calls between the two lawyers, using the collaborative system the partners themselves meet face to face, with their lawyers by their side and with additional help from mediators or counsellors where the situation demands it.

The first Monday in January after the children go back to school is traditionally the busiest day for divorce lawyers, with many relationships having been pushed to the limit by the strain of the festive season.

Carol said: “A bitter divorce can have a lasting impact on the couple concerned and their family. The conventional divorce procedure is by nature confrontational and pits both partners against each other, aggravating any ill feelings that already exist between them.

“The collaborative approach provides a genuine alternative and makes for a less traumatic experience. It can often create an atmosphere of respect and understanding that did not exist before and, unlike in a courtroom setting, the couple stay in control of the whole process.

“It is particularly helpful where children are involved as it sends out very positive signals. Research has consistently shown that children benefit hugely from knowing that their parents are working out their differences together, constructively.”