Sally-Anne Neal, an associate with law firm Andrew Jackson, has been appointed as the regional liaison officer (chair) of the Collaborative Family Law Group for Hull & East Yorkshire.
Established in 2006 the group, which comprises 14 local family lawyers and associated professionals from across the region, aims to help couples work together to manage their divorce or separation in an amicable way to achieve a settlement without going to the courts.
Sally-Anne, who is a highly experienced collaborative lawyer and mediator, said: - "The collaborative approach to divorce and separation has grown significantly, particularly since the changes to Legal Aid came in last year.  We are helping an increasing number couples and families resolve their disputes in a dignified manner, where they are in control of the process, which helps to minimise the impact upon children. 
"Members of our group work with clients through shared goals with their individual solicitor and collaborative lawyer face to face, which is an entirely different approach to the more traditional method of communicating through correspondence and legal representatives.
"I have seen first hand how effective the collaborative process can be in terms of the outcome of separation. I am committed to helping clients shape an agreement which is fair to both parties whilst making key decisions for the future together."