While the Christmas break is traditionally a time of celebration, statistics also show it is a time that many couples decide to separate, with calls to solicitors to begin divorce proceedings peaking during the first working week of the New Year. However, family law experts at the Wilkes Partnership in Birmingham are advising that there is a less stressful way to get through a break up - collaborative law.

Aaron Keene, family law partner at the Wilkes Partnership and qualified collaborative law solicitor, comments:

"Although the festive season may initially seem like an unusual time of year to think about family disputes, unfortunately many break ups do occur during the Christmas and New Year period. There are many reasons for this: spending the break in close proximity can bring any existing issues to a head while, for others, the beginning of a New Year can prompt a re-evaluation of their direction in life. However, there are now ways to keep disputes as amicable as possible."

Collaborative law - a way of resolving family disputes without going to court - is slowly gaining popularity in Birmingham. A popular method of approaching divorces in the US and other parts of the UK, collaborative law involves both parties and their solicitors meeting to agree the best way to resolve the dispute - therefore avoiding the stress of going to court.

Aaron continues, "News that the divorce rate increased during 2010 is supported by our experience. At the height of the recession during 2008 and 2009 we saw many initial enquiries for divorce but many couples then decided to hold off until their financial situation improved. However, the realisation that the economy is not recovering as quickly as expected has prompted many to give up waiting and decide to go through with divorce proceedings anyway.

"Collaborative law offers a route that is much more flexible and can be more respectful than traditional proceedings, with both parties able to enter discussions regarding division of assets and access to children, in a less formal setting than a court of law. Christmas is a highly emotive time of year, so this more considered approach means there is a better chance of both parties reaching a resolution in a more dignified and less aggressive way."