Resolving Legal Matters Through Collaboration, Not Conflict

The Sydney Central Collaborative Forum brings together lawyers and professionals committed to helping the community reach respectful, lasting agreements outside the courtroom.

Meet Our Members

Resolving Legal Matters Through Collaboration, Not Conflict

The Sydney Central Collaborative Forum brings together lawyers and professionals committed to helping the community reach respectful, lasting agreements outside the courtroom.

Meet Our Members

Resolving Legal Matters Through Collaboration, Not Conflict

The Sydney Central Collaborative Forum brings together lawyers and professionals committed to helping the community reach respectful, lasting agreements outside the courtroom.

Meet Our Members

What is Collaborative Law?

Collaborative Law is a cooperative process where people in legal disputes work with trained professionals to reach agreements without going to court. It focuses on respect, open communication, and long-term solutions.

The members of Central Sydney Collaborative Forum are lawyers from different firms who practise collaborative practice as a respectful and client focussed method of dispute resolution.

All Forum members are also experienced traditional lawyers. From this perspective we appreciate the advantages of collaborative practice.

As part of the collaborative process, clients and their lawyers agree to work together to find a fair and workable solution to all of the issues the parties face. A written agreement not to go to court is made in writing at the outset and is a core value of the process.

Explore Collaborative Law

Issues that can be addressed include:

Family law property divisions

Child support agreements

Tax and other liabilities

Company restructures

Care arrangements for children

Business successions and partnership disputes

Business succession

Pre-nuptial and/or cohabitation agreements

Wills & estates including beneficiary disputes

Wills & estates / beneficiary disputes

How the Collaborative Process Works

When all parties choose collaborative practice, the journey is structured, respectful, and solution-focused. Here’s what you can expect.

Step 1

Appoint Collaborative Lawyers

Each person selects a lawyer trained in collaborative law. You’ll explore options, processes, and confirm that collaboration is right for you.

Step 2

Initial Meeting

The two of you and your lawyers meet. You’ll sign an agreement not to go to court. You'll share objectives, set agendas, and begin outlining the issues to be resolved.

Step 3

Subsequent Meetings

You'll work through priority issues — often with input from professionals like accountants or counsellors — depending on the type of dispute. Meetings are minuted and action items agreed.

Step 4

Final Meeting & Formalisation

Once agreements are reached, lawyers draft binding documents, and all parties sign. Any remaining implementation steps or timetables are clarified.

Learn More About the Process

How the Collaborative Process Works

When all parties choose collaborative practice, the journey is structured, respectful, and solution-focused. Here’s what you can expect.

Step 1

Appoint Collaborative Lawyers

Each person selects a lawyer trained in collaborative law. You’ll explore options, processes, and confirm that collaboration is right for you.

Step 2

Initial Meeting

The two of you and your lawyers meet. You’ll sign an agreement not to go to court. You'll share objectives, set agendas, and begin outlining the issues to be resolved.

Step 3

Subsequent Meetings

You'll work through priority issues — often with input from professionals like accountants or counsellors — depending on the type of dispute. Meetings are minuted and action items agreed.

Step 4

Final Meeting & Formalisation

Once agreements are reached, lawyers draft binding documents, and all parties sign. Any remaining implementation steps or timetables are clarified.

Learn More About the Process

What's the difference between collaborative practice and traditional, adversarial practice?

What is the difference between collaborative practice and mediation?

What about confidentiality?

In a family law matter, what happens if one party doesn't give full disclosure?

How much will it cost?

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

View All FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

View All FAQs

Our Members

The Central Sydney Collaborative Forum is a community of dedicated lawyers, coaches, financial professionals and mental health professionals who share a commitment to cooperative dispute resolution.

Meet Our Members

Resources

Explore guides, articles, and tools to help you understand Collaborative Law and make informed decisions.

Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice

The Collaborative Practice Process

How does Collaborative Family Practice Work?

Browse Resources

Get in Touch

If you’re considering Collaborative Law or want to learn more, we’re here to help.