Watson Thomas Solicitors

Helping to resolve family disputes through Collaborative Law [resolution-collaborative-law-member]

Collaborative law is a process that allows people to resolve their family law disputes face-to-face with the benefit of open legal advice.

At an initial assessment meeting, we can discuss whether the collaborative option is right for you. The process consists of a series of four-way meetings at which each party has their own specially trained collaborative lawyer. Your lawyer is there to advise and support you throughout. You can discuss any issues you like within collaborative meetings, such as divorce, financial issues or matters relating to children. Generally, 3 to 4 meetings are held over a period of a few months and the settlement or divorce petition is drafted during the process.

Collaborative law is different from conventional negotiation methods in that legal advice is given openly at four-way meetings. So not only do you get the benefit of independent legal advice, but you also hear the advice your ex-partner or spouse is receiving.

At the beginning of the process we all agree not to go to court to resolve matters. This binding agreement acts as a powerful incentive to work together to find a shared solution. People often find it more satisfactory to achieve an outcome they have designed themselves, rather than having a judgement imposed on them by a court. It also means collaborative agreements are more likely to be followed and upheld by the parties.

A Clear Approach to Family Law

The team of solicitors at Watson Thomas are pro-active, personable and professional solicitors who are experts in all aspects of family law. Watson Thomas Solicitors are committed to offering a compassionate legal advice service that provides a clear way forward for clients during a difficult time, helping to make often stressful situations, less daunting to deal with.

Clear and Pragmatic Legal Advice

When you instruct Watson Thomas Solicitors you can expect clarity from the outset. We offer an initial free consultation which, unlike many other solicitors, is not limited to 30 minutes. During that consultation, we will listen to your situation and gain an understanding of what it is you need from us. We will give you advise you at that meeting as to your legal position, outlining the options open to you and the next steps you need to take. We will also provide you with a fixed or capped fee payment plan for carrying out that work. As an independent firm, Watson Thomas are able to keep overheads low and that saving is passed to our clients making us very competitive on price.

Legal Advice alongside Mediation

If you and your partner have agreed to attend mediation to resolve your family problem, then Watson Thomas offer a helping hand to support and advise you through that process.

Mediation can be a beneficial alternative dispute resolution route if you and your spouse/partner still have a reasonable line of communication and are dedicated to reaching an agreement as amicably and cost effectively as possible. Mediation is there to help you to reach decisions about issues that are important for you and your family. It can help you to find a way to plan for the future and to agree what will work best for you without having to go to Court. Mediation can save you time, money and stress.

It is however important to have the benefit of legal advice during and/or after mediation, especially if you are discussing property and financial issues. A Mediator cannot provide you with individual legal advice so using a solicitor alongside mediation can be much more cost effective.

At Watson Thomas, we offer a fixed fee package for those of you who wish to explore an alternative dispute resolution whilst receiving clear and pragmatic legal advice along the way.

If you and your spouse/partner have agreed to attempt Mediation and you are not using Watson Thomas for the Mediation itself, then let one of our expert Lawyers assist you and guide you through the process.

We are pleased to offer this service to you for an affordable fixed fee.

Fixed and Capped Legal Fees

Watson Thomas Solicitors provide transparency with legal costs. We want to ensure that you know exactly how much our family law services will cost and will carry out your requirements on the basis of either an agreed fixed fee or a capped fee. You will never have to pay any more than the fixed fee.

Where the work needed to resolve your case is uncertain, for example if you instruct Watson Thomas Solicitors to resolve a financial dispute, then we may or may not need to go through the Court procedure to secure a settlement, then we provide a capped fee based on the matter proceeding to Court.

‘No Hidden Cost’ Promise from Watson Thomas Solicitors

You will never need to pay any more than the agreed capped fee. We will account to you each month for the work we have carried out and if, at the end of the process we hold surplus funds, these will be returned to you.
We ask for the capped fee to either be paid in full in advance or in easy to manage instalments. If payment is made in advance and in full, you will benefit from a 10% reduction on the total fee.

The Watson Thomas Service Promise

At Watson Thomas, we pride ourselves on offering a personable, flexible and professional service that delivers results at a price you can afford. We are totally committed to offering customers a level of service that will exceed expectations, and our flexible approach to meetings, setting dates and times to suit you, early morning, evening or weekends, means we will work around your daily schedule to make the whole process as stress-free as possible.

Approachable Local Divorce and Family Law Solicitors

We don’t hide away behind closed doors – Watson Thomas offers all clients direct access to your nominated solicitor, via email or telephone, or both, during and outside of standard office hours.