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Collaborative Practice

Collaborative Practice 

Collaborative Practice is another method of dispute resolution which involves the active participation of both parties in resolving their dispute. In this process both parties hire solicitors and other expert professionals who all meet together collectively, at the same time. This can include accountants, pension advisors, psychologists etc, as required in the circumstances. The aim of the process is to resolve the dispute in a comprehensive non-confrontational way, with all the necessary expert information and advice, with a view to reducing the emotional and financial cost of going to court. 

In this process each of the parties has his/her team of experts, including a solicitor, who will provide the required advice during the negotiations  on foot of their client’s instructions and will consult with their client as necessary. 

Unique to this process are the consequences of failing to reach an agreement; should the parties fail to reach an agreement and decide to go to court, the solicitors engaged up to that point must now withdraw from the process and both parties must hire new legal advisors for the court process. This is to ensure that everyone, including the lawyers, is committed to the success of the collaborative approach. 

Any agreements made in collaborative practice can be legally formalised. 

Further Information: 

The Legal Aid Board has an information section on their website that explains the collaborative law process. 

The Association of Collaborative Practitioners outlines the process involved and also maintains a list of collaborative lawyers. 

Contacts

Contacts: 

The Legal Aid Board 

  • Address: The Legal Aid Board, Quay Street, Caherciveen, Kerry. 
  • Tel:+353 (0)66 947 1000  Locall: 1890 615 200 

The Association of Collaborative Practitioners 

  • Address: , c/o Charltons Solicitors, The Wave Building, Bulloch Harbour, Dalkey, Co Dublin. 
  • Tel: 01 2302157 

Free Legal Advice Centres 

  • Address: , 13 Lower Dorset Street, Dublin 1. 
  • Tel:+353 (0)1 8745690 Fax:+353 (0)1 8745320 

The Courts Service 

  • Address: 15-24 Phoenix Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7 
  • Tel: 01 888 6000 (Main switchboard) 

University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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