What is the difference between the collaborative law process and mediation?
The collaborative law process and mediation both utilize interest-based negotiation and provide the parties an opportunity to work to resolve their dispute confidentially. There are, however, significant difference between mediation and Collaborative Practice, such as: (A) Mediation typically occurs after the parties have incurred significant time and expense in the litigation process, including hearings and discovery; by contrast, the collaborative law process starts as soon as the parties agree to begin the process, often before anything is even filed with the court. (B) In the collaborative law process, everyone is in the same room together, whereas in mediation, the parties and attorneys are typically in separate rooms and the mediator travels back and forth between rooms to consult with each side; (C) In the collaborative law process, there are typically 4-8 joint sessions, whereas mediation typically occurs in one long day; (D) In the collaborative law process, the parties agree
