Leading Sheffield solicitors, Taylor&Emmet LLP, is welcoming government proposals to allow separating families using legal aid to access the collaborative law process

The Legal Services Commission is carrying out a four-week consultation into the family specification for work taking place after October next year. Adding the collaborative law process to the remit of legal aid will enable more separating couples to resolve issues through face-to-face meetings instead of court intervention, reducing costs and stressful delays.

Family law specialist, Michaela, said: “Collaborative lawyers around the UK are extremely pleased that the government has recognised the importance of this form of dispute resolution. It is a constructive and positive way to deal with family breakdown and I have seen a number of cases where it would have been ideal, but because one or both parties were eligible for legal aid, it could not be used.”

Collaborative law has been growing in popularity in the UK since its implementation five years ago. The process, which was developed in the US and Canada, allows separating couples to set their own agenda and focus on issues that are important to them. It has been available to private clients for more than five years, but so far it has been inaccessible to those claiming legal aid.

Taylor&Emmet partner, Michaela Heathcote, qualified as a collaborative lawyer in 2005. She deals mainly with matters arising from family breakdowns, particularly those relating to finances and arrangements for children and handles a growing number of international cases.

Issued: 9.11.2009