Bill > HB2117

This bill enacts the Uniform Collaborative Law Act, which establishes a structured alternative dispute resolution process where parties and their lawyers commit to resolving conflicts outside of court through a collaborative approach. The act defines a collaborative law process as a voluntary procedure where parties sign an agreement to work together to resolve a dispute, with each party represented by a specially designated collaborative lawyer. Key provisions include requirements for collaborative law participation agreements, which must be in writing and signed by all parties, outlining the nature and scope of the matter and identifying each party's collaborative lawyer. The bill provides detailed guidelines for beginning, conducting, and concluding a collaborative law process, including provisions for terminating the process, disqualifying lawyers from subsequent litigation, and maintaining confidentiality of communications during the process. The act includes safeguards for parties in potentially coercive or violent relationships and establishes privileged communication rules to protect the candor and openness of collaborative negotiations. Lawyers are required to assess the appropriateness of the collaborative approach for each case and inform parties about the process's voluntary nature and potential limitations. The bill aims to provide a structured, consensual method of dispute resolution that encourages cooperation, transparency, and mutually agreeable solutions while preserving the option to pursue traditional legal proceedings if collaboration fails.

Justice

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2117&Session=2600