ABOUT US
What is the Collaborative Law International European Institute? The Collaborative Law International European Institute is the first European-based institute to bridge Collaborative Law between the Americas and Europe. The Institute was founded in the part of Europe central to diplomacy---Austria, where Collaborative Law was introduced in 2002. This pioneering work was the brainchild of Elise Schopper-Brigel, B.A., LL.B., a lawyer with a diverse experience in government work and an empathy for consensual dispute resolution. A vision for a multi-cultural Collaborative Law Institute was spearheaded by Elise, driven by her respect for the peaceful resolution of disputes and a passion for finding creative solutions that go to the heart of the matter, rather than to court. Her commitment to a process of mutual trust built on integrity that leads to harmonious settlements, is dynamically combined with care and concern for clients (and their families). The Institute provides the outreach work through support and training of lawyers and other professionals who desire to learn how to practice under a new dispute resolution paradigm. And accessing this web site provides information to any interested persons, especially those who are looking for a compassionate way to resolve an existing dispute. With an emphasis on an European perspective based on the introduction of Collaborative Law to Austria in 2002, the Institute aims to inform the public about this human, caring, and most effective form of divorce and potentially, any settlement resolution. This is the United Nations decade for the culture of Peace. Collaborative Law is a peace-making process, which affects the heart of all nations—the family, as well as how humane business practices are conducted. The Collaborative Law International European Institute has a unique ability to provide multi-national information on Collaborative Law including: Resources/Articles in several languages; Frequently Asked Questions in several languages; Current Austrian/European /North American educational forums & networking Events; Consultations on any aspect of Collaborative Law; and,
We are: conducting trainings; consultations; writing for journals; speaking at conferences; collaborating with colleagues at their trainings and conferences; answering enquiries from the public; and, in general, disseminating information on all aspects of Collaborative Law (CL). Delightedly, we are also in the planning stages for the development of a multi-disciplinary, multi-national CL team that will tap the skills of the most highly committed and trained collaborative lawyers, divorces coaches, therapists and other professionals, sometime in 2006. Under one roof, the projected “Victoria New Law Center” in British Columbia, Canada, will bring together all collaborative practice services of any anticipated client needs for integrated service delivery. We expect to convene a Collaborative Practice Networking Forum in 2006, bringing together CL professionals and experts, to share ideas and exchange views on developments, across diverse continents.
The Collaborative Law International European Institute (“CLIEI”) is on the cutting edge of introducing a compassionate, humanistic form of divorce and other settlement resolution. CL offers the best of mediation and litigation in an entirely new paradigm— the process is focused on the needs of the client first, which are only facilitated but not dictated by the lawyers, with the assistance of a multi-disciplinary team. And it is relatively cheaper and faster than traditional litigation, offering a wider variety of possible remedies while preserving important relationships. While other styles of practicing law can get mired in expensive litigation for months and years and breed conflictual relationships with often times, disastrous consequences--that linger like festering wounds for the clients, their families and/or their businesses, their lawyers, and society—CL is focused on the ecology of human relationships and the need to move forward in a healthy way. As you can read in other Links provided here or the Articles we have written, CL reduces not just the stress of the clients but adds a rewarding feeling of service and vitality to formally stressed-out and disillusioned lawyers. In short, with CL, everyone benefits. Everyone, in a sense, heals together. Additionally, we are in the unique position of having our finger on the
pulse of ground-breaking CL events on both sides of the Atlantic as we
continue the process of spreading the word across Europe. Because we are
actively promoting the development of an European collaborative practice
model, we are privy to current relevant information which we can share
with you. Whether you are a commercial lawyer or a married person contemplating
divorce or any interested party such as a family member, social worker,
psychoanalyst, or friend, we may be able to help with directing you to
an appropriate Resource. After being trained in Collaborative Law in North America in 2002, Canadian lawyer Elise Schopper-Brigel returned to her home in Austria with a curiosity as to whether CL existed in Europe. As the answer was then, no, Elise set out to find other professionals who understood the process of collaboration, who could augment the legal perspective, and help her reach her goal of bringing this much needed shift into a more humane practice of law, to Europe. Upon meeting Dr. Lyly Rojas de Knaus who was speaking about compassionate listening skills, peace-making and conflict resolution at an international conference, it was clear to Elise that Lyly would be the ideal partner to deliver trainings on non-litigious, empathic communications and, to adapt the type of trainings being conducted in North America to the European way, country by country. This new paradigm in practicing law cannot function without a new way to dialogue, both among the parties needing a settlement and among lawyers coming from different cultures, not to mention, different mentalities and legal constraints. Since their meeting, “the lawyer and the peace-maker” have nurtured the phases of bringing CL to a new home. After initial brainstorming sessions and planning meetings in Vienna, the two then sought the support of the most prominent lawyers in mediation and consensual dispute resolution. Due to the whole-hearted backing of Dr. Michael Czinglar, head of Austria’s AVM ( the Austrian Lawyers Mediation Association)----initial plans became reality. The power of the AVM added the necessary information to carry the process forward. All this work culminated in two outstanding events just one year later, in 2003. The ground-breaking opening in January was the presentation in Austria by the founder of Collaborative Law, American lawyer Stuart Webb assisted by, Canadian Marion Korn, who set the stage for further interest among law practitioners. Next, in October of that year another leader in the CL field, lawyer Janis Pritchard joined by associate, lawyer David Carter, teamed with the respectful and precise ability of Lyly to facilitate change processes, produced a stellar CL seminar. At this training, Lyly led the Austrians on a journey of adapting CL to the diverse cultural and legal challenges found in Austria. She involved them in processes that released their own multi-cultural ways to utilize the CL paradigm in fulfilling their specific, pressing needs. This was the first time that anyone had led a multi-cultural team of lawyers in Europe to develop CL further. At this time, Elise and Lyly recognized the need for a bridge to span the differences between the North American and European CL cultures. As no European-based CL Institute existed, the CLIEI was created. Throughout this process, its been Elise´s pivotal role between the various CL models that have provided the crucial feedback loop which led to her appointment as the Head of the Collaborative Law Branch of the AVM.
We are pleased to have delivered the third CL seminar, presented in October, 2004 for the first time by a team of European trainers, composed of Elise Schopper-Brigel, B.A., LL.B, Lyly and, two of their former students. More training seminars are now being planned and delivered as well as, an International Forum in 2006 which will convene with some of the above-mentioned CL luminaries. Where we are now: The current developmental phase of the Institute involves preparatory work for re-settlement next year in Victoria, British Columbia. This transformative journey will result in the Institute being re-born into the New Victoria Law Center. The end product will--resonate with and be responsive to--the current reforms in the family justice field in British Columbia. Further developments to be announced.
The Collaborative Law European International Institute was founded by Elise Schopper-Brigel, B.A., LL.B., a lawyer with a passion for consensual dispute resolution, particularly in the area of family law. Elise is Head of the Collaborative Law Branch of the AVM in Vienna, Austria where she is the link between Europe and North America in the creation of an Austrian adaption of the original model. A Canadian lawyer and member of both the Ontario and British Columbia Bars, she has lived in Austria for almost a decade. Her managerial and grass roots experience in facilitating consensus in an unpredictable environment enable Elise to fulfil the demands of launching CL in Austria. As a senior civil servant for the provincial government of British Columbia in the 90`s, Elise worked primarily in the area of violence against women. Her knowledge of power imbalances, systems of change and now as a pioneer in consensual dispute resolution--enables Elise to tackle new challenges. During the introduction and implementation of CL to Europe, Elise has trained lawyers and published various Articles on the subject which can be found under Resources. As the co-chair of the International Development Committee of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, I am jointly responsible for creating partnerships, sharing ideas and information with the goal of building a cross-cultural collaborative law movement.
You may click on the following questions for answers:
° History of Collaborative Law.
° How does the process differ from Mediation?
° What are the benefits of Collaborative Law?
° Who are the helping professionals?
If you are interested in becoming a member of the CLIEI to be a part of the CL multi-disciplinary frontier, and network with other collaborative law professionals, submit articles, comments, questions of your own, or simply learn more about Collaborative Law link to Membership. * A registered non-profit Association. DISCLAIMER: This site has partial information only and is not intended to provide solutions or answers to any particular needs. Use at your own discretion. Please be advised that these contents are not to be construed as legal advice under any circumstances and you must consult a qualified attorney to find out about your individual circumstance. |