National Family Mediation (NFM), the country's largest provider of mediation services, has expressed concern that the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme is due to end in March, with no extension in place. The vouchers give separating couples up to £500 for mediation, which they can use to resolve disputes over finances, children and housing. Despite p...
This month marks the third anniversary of no-fault divorce coming into law in England and Wales—a landmark reform that changed how couples approach the end of a marriage. Introduced in April 2022, it was widely welcomed as a more compassionate, dignified alternative to the old system of blame and conflict. For many, the change has delivered on its ...
The FMC are delighted to confirm that Lord Ponsonby, the Minister responsible for family justice, has confirmed that the family mediation voucher scheme will be continued for a further year, to March 2026. The welcome news came yesterday evening at a pre Family Mediation Week reception arranged by the Family Mediation Council and kindly hosted by F...
The latest Family Procedure Rules changes, effective April 29, 2024, expand the definition of non-court dispute resolution to include mediation, arbitration, and collaborative law. Courts now require parties to express their views on using these methods, emphasizing out-of-court resolutions. UK Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration The latest cha...
NFM says that conflict over the family pet features in more than 40 per cent of mediation matters A national charity has urged couples who are going through a divorce or separation to 'paws for thought' before getting into conflict over the family pet. The call to action comes on National Pet Day (April 11th) which encourages families across the co...
Family Mediation Week 2024 Family Mediation Week will take place from 22 - 26 January 2024 Separating parents can avoid courtroom conflict as Family Mediation Week kicks off. Separating parents urged to avoid courtroom conflict as Family Mediation Week kicks off. Parents who have decided to separate or divorce in 2024 are being urged to find out ho...
For many, the end of a marriage or relationship combines emotional unrest and significant financial uncertainty. The disruption can undermine the best laid financial and tax plans. The legal processes to end a marriage and the administrative steps to ascertain a family's assets before embarking upon planning for a separated family's future, can be ...
If approached with the necessary precautions and respect for their views, the inclusion of a child in relevant family mediation matters can bring a highly valuable perspective to the process. What benefits do the participants stand to gain from child-inclusive mediation, and how can the child's rights be safeguarded throughout? What are the primary...
Divorce can be a complicated and emotional experience for everyone involved. There are many important decisions that need to be made, especially when it comes to matters related to your children and financial situation. Mediation is a popular route couples take when they decide to dissolve their marriage peacefully without going to court. In the me...
Lawyers back the government's aspiration to get more family disputes resolved out of court, but many have serious doubts about compulsory mediation The government's commitment to seeing more family disputes resolved out of court has been widely welcomed. But, as MPs heard this week, many practitioners are unimpressed by the reform plans that have e...
The Government has also announced a two-year extension to its currently voucher scheme, to encourage more people to consider mediation as a means of resolving their disputes, where appropriate. To support this, a financial contribution of up to £500 towards the costs of mediation relating to children will be provided, if eligible. Only mediators au...
Government proposals set to steer families away from stress, costs and delaysNew government family law proposals could accelerate a cultural shift for separating couples away from family courts, says The Family Mediation Council ("the FMC").A series of new measures proposed in a consultation this week by the Ministry of Justice aim to help separati...
