Collaborative Practice & Mediation
I am a Collaborative Family Lawyer and Accredited Family Mediator, dedicated to helping people reach child-focused and financially practical agreements out-of-court. I offer services in Collaborative Practice and Mediation.
Collaborative Practice
In Collaborative Practice, each spouse retains a collaborative lawyer who is focused on settlement at every step of the way. The negotiations take place at settlement meetings. The negotiations are interest based, meaning there is a full exploration of ‘what matters most,’ along with ensuring that there is a good understanding of the legal and financial information, before we begin to create solutions. The solutions are often more creative and tailor-made than those achieved in other dispute resolution processes.
One of the key components of Collaborative Practice involves a special retainer with the collaborative lawyer whereby the lawyer is not permitted to represent the client in litigation should the attempt at a collaborative resolution fail. This is a key element of the collaborative process as it keeps both the spouses and the lawyers focused entirely on settlement.
Often a Collaborative file will also involve a jointly retained neutral child specialist and / or financial specialist. Everyone on the team works together to create a unique and mutually satisfying resolution to all of the parenting and financial issues.
More information about Collaborative Practice can be found at www.collaborativepractice.com, www.collaborativepracticetoronto.com and www.oclf.ca.
Mediation
Mediation is a process in which you and your spouse discuss, negotiate and reach agreement with the assistance and support of a mediator.
Mediation sessions can take place with or without your lawyers present, depending on how much support either of you need and how complicated the issues are. Regardless of whether lawyers are present at the mediation sessions or not, each of you will need to have your own lawyer to provide independent legal advice prior to a final agreement being signed. It is usually best to obtain independent legal advice early on in the mediation process. In my role as the mediator, I cannot give legal advice to either of you.
As a mediator, I use an interest based approach to settlement. In our mediation sessions, we will talk about ‘what matters most’ to you and your spouse as well as ensuring we have all of the legal and financial information in the room.
I often co-mediate or bring in ‘mediation support’ through the use of financial professionals and family professionals.
Read a Testimonial
For more information on mediation as it relates to Deborah’s practice please read this PDF file.
Collaborative Practice
In Collaborative Practice, each spouse retains a collaborative lawyer who is focused on settlement at every step of the way. The negotiations take place at settlement meetings. The negotiations are interest based, meaning there is a full exploration of ‘what matters most,’ along with ensuring that there is a good understanding of the legal and financial information, before we begin to create solutions. The solutions are often more creative and tailor-made than those achieved in other dispute resolution processes.
One of the key components of Collaborative Practice involves a special retainer with the collaborative lawyer whereby the lawyer is not permitted to represent the client in litigation should the attempt at a collaborative resolution fail. This is a key element of the collaborative process as it keeps both the spouses and the lawyers focused entirely on settlement.
Often a Collaborative file will also involve a jointly retained neutral child specialist and / or financial specialist. Everyone on the team works together to create a unique and mutually satisfying resolution to all of the parenting and financial issues.
More information about Collaborative Practice can be found at www.collaborativepractice.com, www.collaborativepracticetoronto.com and www.oclf.ca.
Mediation
Mediation is a process in which you and your spouse discuss, negotiate and reach agreement with the assistance and support of a mediator.
Mediation sessions can take place with or without your lawyers present, depending on how much support either of you need and how complicated the issues are. Regardless of whether lawyers are present at the mediation sessions or not, each of you will need to have your own lawyer to provide independent legal advice prior to a final agreement being signed. It is usually best to obtain independent legal advice early on in the mediation process. In my role as the mediator, I cannot give legal advice to either of you.
As a mediator, I use an interest based approach to settlement. In our mediation sessions, we will talk about ‘what matters most’ to you and your spouse as well as ensuring we have all of the legal and financial information in the room.
I often co-mediate or bring in ‘mediation support’ through the use of financial professionals and family professionals.
Read a Testimonial
For more information on mediation as it relates to Deborah’s practice please read this PDF file.