And a fifth of collaborative lawyers surveyed said they had seen clients whose net worth was less than £100,000, and as such would qualify for legal aid, had it been available.

Samantha Bushell, family law partner at Brown Turner Ross, in Southportl, who has recently gained collaborative lawyer status, said: “Collaborative law gives clients an opportunity to air any emotional issues and deal with things such as financial issues and children alongside each other, as opposed to being dealt with separately.

“It will make for a more amicable resolution as an Order is not being imposed on the parties.

“It may be far less exhaustive, financially and time wise, than the traditional divorce route.”

Lawyers responding to the survey said effective screening of clients was crucial to ensuring the collaborative process worked.

Generally, the lawyers look for sufficient degrees of trust and respect between the parties, some mutual recognition of needs, a lack of unrealistic expectations and an ability to communicate with and be civil towards each other. Evidence of domestic abuse might rule clients out.