Collaborative Law

Your dedicated collaborative lawyer will guide you through an amicable separation

Collaborative lawyers for you - How does the process work?

The Collaborative Law process encourages divorcing or separating couples to work together with the support of specially trained Collaborative lawyers, communicating effectively to achieve certain goals. It promotes respect between the parties, places the needs of children first and keeps control of the process with the couple.

Key Contact

Matthew Drew

Managing Partner & Finance Partner

How can a collaborative solicitor support me?

An integral part of the process is that the parties and their solicitor sign an agreement at the outset, confirming they will not go to court, but will resolve all issues through a number of meetings.

A series of ‘four-way’ meetings then take place which involve both parties and their lawyers. Each person has the support, protection and guidance of his or her own lawyer throughout.

The Collaborative approach encourages communication and the full disclosure of facts identifying possible ‘flash points’. Lawyers then aim to guide couples to a settlement. It helps to prevent parties becoming too positional and allows more creative solutions.

Don't risk more heartache

Award-winning and nationally recognised lawyers, here for you

Your collaborative law questions answered

Collaborative law can;

  • Provide a civilised way of resolving issues outside of court
  • Help maintain long term relationships
  • Reduce the emotional strain on families
  • Protect children from disputes and avoid the uncertainty of litigation
  • Enable creative solutions to be found

The Collaborative process itself relies on couples who can work together in an open and cooperative manner. It will succeed if you and your partner agree that you want:

  • An amicable, respectful resolution of your issues
  • The ability to make your own joint decisions about financial and child care arrangements
  • To protect an amicable relationship after divorce
  • To establish a healthy and mutually beneficial co-parenting relationship
  • To protect children from hostility, ill feeling and disruption.


The Collaborative process is flexible and will vary in order to meet your specific needs. In general most people require between two and six meetings to resolve their issues. No other professional conflict resolution assistance is as inventive, efficient or as economical as Collaborative law for such a broad range of people facing separation or divorce.

Generally speaking, in mediation there will be three people present, the two parties involved and the impartial mediator, who is not able to provide legal advice.

In collaborative law, there will be four people present; each party and their individual lawyer. You may therefore feel more comfortable using Collaborative law as you will have someone dedicated to supporting and advising you.

Our clients rate us as excellent

Chambers & Partners 2023

The team is extremely thorough and client-focused. They are willing to go the extra mile and think outside the box.

P B, Corsham

Thank you for all your help, guidance and understanding. You and your team have been outstanding during a very difficult time and managed the case through to a highly satisfactory conclusion.

T H, Chippenham

I could not have wished for a more professional dedicated team, I am so grateful for all their help and support, I would highly recommend Goughs solicitors to family and friends.

Legal 500 2023

The practice is very unique in that the service is so personal and impeccable. Attention is given to ALL detail and communication is frequent and timely.

TH

I could not have wished for a more professional dedicated team, I am so grateful for all their help and support, I would highly recommend Goughs solicitors to family and friends.

Meet the Goughs family law team

Abbie Winters

Solicitor

Alice Blackmore

Senior Associate Solicitor

Amelia Inglis

Solicitor

Georgia Holmes

Associate

Georgina Catlin

Associate Solicitor

Hannah Francis

Solicitor

Mark Hood

Associate Solicitor & Head of Armed Forces Sector

Matthew Drew

Managing Partner & Finance Partner

Abbie Winters

Solicitor

Megan Solomon

Trainee Solicitor

Hannah Francis

Solicitor

Georgia Holmes

Associate

Amelia Inglis

Solicitor

Natasha Miller

Solicitor

Matthew Drew

Managing Partner & Finance Partner

Rhianna Cole

Senior Associate

Mark Hood

Associate Solicitor & Head of Armed Forces Sector

Georgina Catlin

Associate Solicitor

Natalie Kemp

Senior Associate Chartered Legal Executive

Thomas Boyce

Partner, Head of Family, Head of Agriculture & Rural Land

Ross Phillips

Partner

Alice Blackmore

Senior Associate Solicitor

Why work with Goughs?

Local since 1882, with an excellent reputation

First-class, effective service

Largest solicitors in Wiltshire

Seven offices throughout the county

Nationally accredited law firm

Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners

Why wait? Let's talk

Fill out the form below and we will get back to you!