Sarah Hughes argues that lawyers should move away from immediately presenting labels such as mediation, collaboration or litigation and instead first understand clients’ priorities, fears and desired outcomes. Every matter can initially be viewed as potentially collaborative, while safeguarding, coercion, disclosure and power imbalances must remain under continual assessment.
Hughes also challenges perceptions that collaborative practice is inherently expensive, noting that real-time joint meetings can reduce prolonged correspondence, duplication and procedural delay. The growing involvement of financial experts, family consultants and other specialists, alongside hybrid “Collab-Arb” models, provides additional flexibility. Adaptations for neurodivergent clients and greater inclusion of children’s perspectives are also becoming increasingly important.
Ultimately, Hughes presents collaborative law not merely as another dispute-resolution process but as a client-led approach centred on dignity, autonomy, communication and sustainable outcomes for separating families.
