Today marks the end of Family Mediation Week, an initiative designed to raise awareness of family mediation and of the benefits it can bring to separating families and couples.
An assessment for mediation is a pre-requisite to all family proceedings, but the advantages of the actual process are perhaps less well known. The purpose of Family Mediation Week is to encourage separating families and couples to think about family mediation as a way of helping them take control of their issues, make decisions together and have ownership of the outcome to provide a positive future for themselves and their families.
Mediation can assist with all aspects of divorce and separation, including money, property, and children. It is not free, but it is often quicker and much less expensive than going to court. The government continues to support mediation with the Ministry of Justice £500 voucher scheme to assist with the cost and has so far helped over 24,600 families resolve their issues away from court.
Mediation remains a voluntary process, but one which robustly screens for suitability, and which can be adjusted where necessary to suit the needs of the participants. It can take place in person, remotely, on a shuttle basis and with the introduction of hybrid and child-inclusive mediation, can now be tailored to include children where appropriate and also lawyers.
No matter how amicable a separation or divorce may be, there is always an impact upon those involved. Mediation offers support and guidance through what is often a very difficult journey. For more information about mediation and other forms of ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) please contact us.
