Many couples coming to One Family Law tell us the same thing: they genuinely want to deal with their separation or divorce amicably, without going to court, and in a way that feels respectful and practical.
Often, they’ve heard of mediation, the collaborative process, or One Couple One Solicitor (OCOS) — but they’re not always clear on how these options differ, how they overlap, or which one might suit them best.
That confusion is understandable. There is some crossover, but the differences are important.
At its simplest:
- OCOS – one lawyer in the process, handling everything from start to finish
- Mediation – no lawyers in the process itself, only part of the journey
- Collaborative law – two lawyers in the process, working together at the table
One Couple One Solicitor (OCOS)
OCOS is a truly joint approach. You both work with one neutral family law solicitor, jointly instructed.
Your solicitor guides you from beginning to end:
- explaining the legal framework
- exploring options together
- supporting discussions
- and drafting the final agreements into a legally binding court order
Because there is one solicitor rather than two, OCOS is often the most cost-effective, efficient, and calm way of resolving matters. It works best where there is trust, openness, and a shared intention to resolve things fairly.
In a nutshell:
“We’re on the same page but don’t know where we stand in Law and need help formalising everything from start to finish.”
Mediation
Family mediation involves a neutral mediator who helps you communicate and work through issues constructively.
The mediator does not give legal advice. Mediation helps you talk through matters and explore possible solutions, but it cannot take you all the way to a final, legally binding agreement. Couples usually use this process in tandem with also having solicitor support to provide them with legal advice and will always need a solicitor afterwards to formalise any agreements made at mediation into a court order.
Mediation can work well when communication is difficult but still possible, and both parties are willing to engage honestly.
In a nutshell:
“We need help talking things through, but we’ll get legal advice separately to make it official.”
The Collaborative Process
The collaborative law process involves you each having your own family law solicitor, with everyone committing at the outset to resolving matters without going to court.
The key feature of collaborative law is structured, joint meetings — often called “round table” meetings — involving both clients and their solicitors. The purpose of these meetings is to negotiate and resolve issues in a cooperative, non-adversarial environment.
If the process breaks down, both collaborative solicitors must step aside and cannot represent you in court.
In a nutshell:
“We want legal support on both sides, while staying out of court.”
Choosing the Right Non-Court Option
There’s no single “right” way to separate. The best non-court process depends on:
- your circumstances
- how you communicate as a couple
- the level of support you each need
Getting the right fit from the outset really matters. Spending time at the beginning to choose the right process can reduce stress, save time and help manage costs, ensuring you find a non-court solution that genuinely works for you as a couple.
At One Family Law, we’re always happy to talk through these options in a free, no-obligation initial chat, to help you work out what might suit you best.
