Code of ethics

Teurlings & Ellens Advocaten complies with the code of ethics for lawyers practising family and personal law.

• The lawyer should persuade their client of the need for a constructive and solution-finding approach – with or without mediation – and should instruct accordingly so that they should always adopt this approach.
• They should seek a new and sustainable balance for all concerned. They should discourage the idea of loss or gain in a family case.
• The lawyer should leave their client to announce a divorce. They should encourage their client to continue to communicate as an adult and to ensure that conflict remains controllable. The lawyer should encourage all parties to settle issues themselves where they can do so, and to take advantage of forums dedicated to these purposes.
• The lawyer should explain that the interests and rights of children should be taken into account as a part of being responsible parents – which is more important than conflict at end of the relationship. Financial interests should not be confused with other interests and rights of the children, including in particular visiting rights.
• The lawyer should maintain a professional distance, but should calm matters if necessary. They should acknowledge common emotions, but should not increase these. In correspondence, they should avoid language that discredits the opposing party or their lawyer, or which can be regarded as unnecessarily hurtful.
• The lawyer should use all these skills to reduce conflict at their (legal) origin and seek practical solutions. In this regard, they should request input from other interested parties in the procedure.
• The lawyer should ensure that the financial and emotional costs are limited for both parties.
• The lawyer with this speciality should maintain, provably, their knowledge and skills.