(a) A collaborative law process begins when the parties sign a collaborative law participation agreement. (b) A tribunal may not order a party to participate in a collaborative law process over that party’s objection. (c) A collaborative law process is concluded by: (1) A resolution of a collaborative matter as evidenced by a signed record; (2) A resolution of a part of the collaborative matter, evidenced by a signed record, in which the parties agree that the remaining parts of the matter will not be resolved in the process; or (3) A termination of the process. (d) A collaborative law process terminates: (1) When a party gives notice to other parties in a record that the process is ended; (2) When a party: (i) Begins a proceeding related to a collaborative matter without the agreement of all parties; or (ii) In a pending proceeding related to the matter: 1. Initiates a pleading, a motion, an order to show cause, or a request for a conference with the tribunal; 2. Requests that the proceeding be put on the tribunal’s calendar; or 3. Takes similar action requiring notice to be sent to the parties; or (3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g) of this section, when a party roceeding be put on the tribunal’s calendar; or 3. Takes similar action requiring notice to be sent to the parties; or (3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g) of this section, when a party discharges a collaborative lawyer or a collaborative lawyer withdraws from further representation of a party. (e) A party’s collaborative lawyer shall give prompt notice to all other parties in a record of a discharge or withdrawal. (f) A party may terminate a collaborative law process with or without cause. (g) Notwithstanding the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer, a collaborative law process continues if, within 30 days after the date that the notice of discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer required by subsection (e) of this section is sent to the parties: (1) The unrepresented party engages a successor collaborative lawyer; and (2) In a signed record: (i) The parties consent to continue the process by reaffirming the collaborative law participation agreement; (ii) The agreement is amended to identify the successor collaborative lawyer; and (iii) The successor collaborative lawyer confirms the lawyer’s representation of a party in the collaborative eement; (ii) The agreement is amended to identify the successor collaborative lawyer; and (iii) The successor collaborative lawyer confirms the lawyer’s representation of a party in the collaborative process. (h) A collaborative law process does not conclude if, with the consent of the parties, a party requests a tribunal to approve a resolution of the collaborative matter or any part of the collaborative matter as evidenced by a signed record. (i) A collaborative law participation agreement may provide additional methods of concluding a collaborative law process.
Maryland Legal Code