Information about the latest Family Mediation issues and in depth analysis of key mediation matters.
Blog, News & Views
The Ministry of Justice has just (Early 2023) launched a consultation seeking views on how Government can support families in private family law cases, in agreeing their child and financial arrangements without going through the family courts.
My mentor used to say to separating parents that whilst they would no long be partners they would always be their children’s parents. So that whilst you will live apart you will always be connected through your children.
Clients often tell us they want to go to Court, they don’t want to mediate, and that is their choice. However, the issues in these cases are generally not complex, but they can often feel intractable. Nevertheless, many of these cases could and increasingly should be resolved away from Court if at all possible.
Often the relationships that the children enjoyed with you both and your extended family changes. It can become difficult – especially in the early weeks and months of separation – for you as parents to be able to put in place flexible and workable arrangements for your children.
Most separating couples want to come to an arrangement that they will both stick with. During mediation couples can discuss all sorts of options, and take legal advice on them.
In spring of 2022 family mediators and lawyers were pleased to hear the announcement of the “no-fault” divorce. This enables separation to move away from the previous “blame culture” making the process less confrontational for many families.
If you don't try mediation before going to court to discuss child arrangements the judge could order you to pay the court costs and this can get expensive. Here we explain more about avoiding this.
It’s natural to worry about telling your children you’re divorcing or separating. You may have lots of questions running through your head and with everything that’s going on for you it can be difficult to think through this important step.
When lines of communication have broken down and you are each on the end of abusive, angry, accusing texts and messages, the thought of facing each other in the same room can feel overwhelming and often frightening…
Children are very often caught up in the process and the negotiations around the break up of a family unit.
Find out how you can minimize the impact whilst still keeping your children involved in the process.
The family court system has had to adapt since the Covid19 lockdown. As an alternative, video links, audio (telephone/mobile), and Skype/Zoom use have become the ‘norm’, but have they been conducted satisfactorily and are they the way forwards?
A creative solution to the traditionally divisive win/lose negotiation conundrum. There is another way to negotiate that means win/win.