A collaborative law process begins when the parties sign a collaborative law participation agreement. The tribunal may not order a party to participate in a collaborative law process over that party’s objection. A collaborative law process is concluded by: The resolution of a collaborative matter as evidenced by a signed record; The resolution of a part of the collaborative matter, evidenced by a signed record, in which the parties agree that the remaining parts of the matter will not be resolved in the process; or The termination of the process. A collaborative law process terminates: When a party gives notice to other parties in a record that the process is ended; or When a party: Begins a proceeding related to a collaborative matter without the agreement of all parties; or In a pending proceeding related to the matter: Initiates a pleading, motion, order to show cause, or request for a conference with the tribunal; Requests that the proceeding be put on the tribunal’s calendar; or Takes similar action requiring notice to be sent to the parties; or Except as otherwise provided by subsection (g) of this section, when a party discharges a collaborative lawyer or a collaborative lawyer withdraws from further representation of a party. A party’s collaborative lawyer shall give prompt notice to all parties in a record of a discharge or withdrawal. A party may terminate a collaborative law process with or without cause. Notwithstanding the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer, a collaborative law process continues, if not later than 30 days after the date that the notice of the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer required by subsection (e) of this section is sent to the parties: The unrepresented party engages a successor collaborative lawyer; and In a signed record: The parties consent to continue the process by reaffirming the collaborative law participation agreement; The agreement is amended to identify the successor collaborative lawyer; and The successor collaborative lawyer confirms the lawyer’s representation of a party in the collaborative process. A collaborative law process does not conclude if, with the consent of the parties, a party requests the tribunal to approve a resolution of the collaborative matter or any part thereof as evidenced by a signed record. A collaborative law participation agreement may provide additional methods of concluding a collaborative law process.
‹ Prev All District Of Columbia sections Next ›
Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.