Family Mediation Week 2024 | What is Mediation?
What is Family Mediation Week?
Family Mediation Week is a campaign run by Family Mediation Council and sponsored by Resolution. The Family Mediation Council is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to promote the use of family mediation for the benefit of the public. The FMC does not offer mediation itself.
This year, Family Mediation Week will run from 22nd to 26th January 2024. The aim of Family Mediation Week is to raise awareness of Family Mediation and how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle finances and parenting arrangements. There are many benefits of engaging in Family Mediation to include taking control and reaching an agreement that works for you and that you’re happy with, whilst avoiding the stress, delay and cost of the court process.
Making the difficult and life-changing decision to separate often leaves people not knowing which way to turn. Family Mediation Week is designed to shine a helpful spotlight on the issues that arise following a separation and offers separating spouses/parents information about their options as they look to make arrangements for co-parenting or division of matrimonial finances.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a structured and interactive process where a mediator assists separating spouses/parents in resolving conflict.
The mediator is an impartial, experienced family lawyer who will help the parties explore the possibilities for resolving any conflict arising on divorce or separation and will facilitate negotiations. If a proposed agreement is reached through mediation, the mediator will prepare a document called a Memorandum of Understanding which reflects the terms of the proposed settlement or agreement. In relation to Children, the mediator will assist the parents in drawing up an agreed Parenting Plan.
You can read more about the mediation process here and the Ministry of Justice’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme here, which meets up to £500 of mediation costs for families if they need to discuss arrangements for children.
How can Ellis Jones help?
Ellis Jones Family Lawyers are all members of Resolution. We are therefore committed to keeping issues that arise between couples on a relationship breakdown out of court.
Deborah Leask and Katie Taft are family lawyers who are also qualified and experienced mediators. With their dual qualification and specialist experience, they are able to provide clients with access to all options for resolving issues arising from family breakdown.
Deborah and Katie are also accredited mediators through The Law Society and the Family Mediation Council. They are also members of Phoenix Mediation, a network of dual qualified Lawyer-Mediators in the Dorset and Hampshire area.
If you need advice or assistance from a family lawyer in relation to a divorce, finances or your children or you are interested in instructing Deborah or Katie for Mediation, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please call 01202 525333 or email MatrimonialDept@ellisjones.co.uk.
How can we help?
When you submit this form an email will be sent to the relevant department who will contact you within 48 hours. If you require urgent advice please call 01202 525333.
