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Bill

HB 2117

Civil procedure; enacting the Uniform Collaborative Law Act; effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brent Howard and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma adopts Uniform Collaborative Law Act, establishing legal framework for parties to resolve civil disputes through structured collaboration with attorneys outside court proceedings.

Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/15/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 2117

Legislative bill overview

HB 2117 enacts Oklahoma's version of the Uniform Collaborative Law Act, a model legislation designed to provide a structured legal framework for parties to resolve disputes through a collaborative process outside traditional litigation. The act establishes procedures, attorney responsibilities, and protections for participants engaged in collaborative law agreements, where parties and their attorneys commit to resolving disputes without going to court.

Why is this important

Collaborative law offers an alternative dispute resolution mechanism that can reduce litigation costs, preserve relationships, and accelerate resolution timelines compared to traditional court proceedings. By codifying collaborative law standards, Oklahoma joins other states in formalizing this process, which affects how divorces, business disputes, and other civil matters can be handled within the state's legal system.

Potential points of contention

  • Attorney role conflicts: The act restricts attorneys' ability to represent clients in subsequent litigation if collaboration fails, which some argue limits client choice and increases legal costs
  • Privilege and confidentiality scope: Questions may arise about what communications are protected and whether inadequate confidentiality protections discourage participation
  • Access and equity concerns: Collaborative law typically requires hiring two attorneys, raising concerns about whether this process is accessible to lower-income parties or only benefits wealthy litigants

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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