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PARTICIPATION
AGREEMENT
The Collaborative Law Process
a) We acknowledge that the essence of “Collaborative Law” is
the shared belief of the Participants that it is in the best interests
of the Parties and their families in Family Law matters to commit
to resolve issues through principled or interest-based negotiation
rather than court proceedings.
b) We therefore adopt a conflict resolution
process, which does not rely on a court imposed resolution, but rather
relies on an atmosphere of honesty, co-operation, integrity and professionalism
geared toward the future well-being of the family.
c) Our goal
is to minimize, if not eliminate, the negative economic, social and
emotional consequences of protracted court proceedings.
d) We
commit ourselves to the Collaborative Law Process and agree to seek
a better way to resolve ourdifferences justly and equitably.
 No Court Or Other Intervention
a) We commit
ourselves to settling this case without court intervention.
b)
We agree to give full, honest and open disclosure of all relevant information,
whether requested or not. Any request for disclosure of information
shall be made informally and the information shall be provided as quickly
as reasonably possible.
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 c) We agree
to engage in informal discussions and conferences to settle all issues.
Cautions
a) We understand that there is no guarantee that
the process will be successful in resolving the matters in dispute.
b)
We understand that the process cannot eliminate concerns about the
disharmony, distrust or irreconcilable differences which have led
to the breakdown of the marriage or relationship.
c) We understand
that we are still expected to assert our respective interests and
our lawyers will help us do so.
d) We understand that we should
not lapse into a false sense of security that this process will protect
use.
e) We understand that although the Lawyers share
a commitment to the Collaborative Law Process, each lawyer has a
professional duty to represent his or her own client diligently and
is not the lawyer for the other party.
Lawyers’ Fees And Costs
We agree that
our Lawyers are entitled to be paid for their services. Each of us
will be responsible for the payment of our own Lawyer, and we agree
to make funds available for this purpose. |
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