Member Article

Divorce just got better in the North East

Some of the region’s leading family law specialists attended the Resolution Family Consultants Training Programme held in Newcastle upon Tyne last month. The Programme, which was delivered for the first time outside London, highlighted the value of using family consultants to support families going through a separation or divorce process.

The event was brought to Newcastle by the Collaborative Family Law North East group, which includes some of the region’s leading family lawyers. They have many years’ experience advising on legal issues that can arise when family relationships breakdown. The group specialise in collaborative family law, which involves resolving issues arising from a separation without going to court. The programme is designed by Resolution, a national organisation which supports the development of family lawyers through national and regional training programmes

The programme was delivered by Angela Lake-Carroll, a leading facilitator in collaboration and mediation who provides training programmes throughout the UK and internationally. The programme was an opportunity for family lawyers, mediators and counsellors from across the region to understand the practical and emotional support a family consultant can offer to the separating couple and wider family.

Highly regarded in her field, Angela has a committed interest in the needs of separating families, their children and those with special needs. She has been a contributor to government policy in regard to separated families and those involved in public law proceedings.

Angela Lake Carroll explains “Family separation and divorce can be painful and distressing for everyone involved. Resolution family solicitors know that it is not simply about the law and legal issues and that people need support to deal with all the practical and emotional matters that surround their separation and their lives beyond – especially if they are parents. The family professionals who have trained together in Newcastle are committed to ensuring that all clients can be offered the opportunity to deal with changes in their relationships and in their family and for their children in a way that best supports them through a difficult and challenging time in their lives. It means that in the future, people will be able to access a full range of supporting services from a team of professionals – whether it is legal help and advice from their chosen solicitor, mediation if it is appropriate and practical and emotional support from family consultants or ‘coaches’. By offering the best of their professional skills in a ‘team approach’ separating individuals and families in the North East can be assured of the very best of assistance and help from dedicated and experienced professionals.”

Mary Shaw, Resolution member, Family Partner at David Gray Solicitors LLP and member of the Collaborative Family Law North East group comments: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for the North East as it is the first time the programme has been delivered outside London. It demonstrates a commitment in our region to provide better support for family clients, delivered by experienced and trained professionals.”

“Unfortunately separation and divorce is a fact of life and, as a family solicitor, I want to ensure my clients are given the support they need both legally and emotionally. This programme has enabled us to bring family consultants into the collaborative process. Family clients need first rate legal advice but that is by no means all that they need. Our aim in the North East is to build professional teams to support our clients legally, emotionally and with financial advice in a seamless way”, she adds.

The programme provided two days of training and familiarisation regarding the role of a family consultant in the collaborative process. The family consultant provides support to those who are caught in conflicts or require support as a result of family breakdown or those who are struggling with forming or continuing co-operative co-parenting relationships. The programme covered collaborative practice and family law along with providing an opportunity for family consultants and family lawyers to work together.

Resolution believes in a constructive, non-confrontational approach to family law matters which help families, complete the divorce or separation process without going to court. Over 90% of cases handled by Resolution lawyers settle without court proceedings.

Resolution is at the heart of the family law profession and campaigns for improvements to the family justice system. It also trains and accredits mediators and is the only body providing training and support for collaborative lawyers in England and Wales.

For further information on David Gray Solicitors LLP visit: www.davidgray.co.uk

For further information on the Collaborative Family Law North East group visit: www.collabfamilylawnortheast.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Georgia Linscott .