We know how easy it can be to lose sight of what is important when you and your former partner are embroiled in the emotions of a separation. The pattern of communication can quickly become one of attack and defend,
It might sound strange but in mediation much of what we focus on is the fear, concerns and frustrations our clients are experiencing. Not for the sake of it, obviously but because the answers and positive outcomes lie in dealing
Will you tell them how much they have hurt me? The simple answer is no but why won’t I? Again, the simple answer is because as a mediator I am neutral and must act in an impartial way. How off
Often a parent will say that they would rather the court dictate their children’s arrangements; as they believe that a legally binding order will mean that arrangements will be kept to, and that they will get the outcome they want.
Recent media coverage of two large-scale pieces of research show that children and young people are showing signs of new levels of despair and depression; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-25653389. Amongst the reasons given were poverty and family breakdown, pressure from school and parents
Legal aid may have largely disappeared for advice from family solicitors but it still largely exists for family mediation. Unfortunately, many thousands of people not only misunderstand how mediation works and the benefits of it but also the fact that
Having just completed another audit by the Legal Aid Agency I am again reminded of the importance of a very thorough accountability process when assessing whether members of the public qualify for free family mediation. I keep reminding myself that
Why do so many people decide against mediation and why does mediation so often fail to produce a successful outcome. Below, I list some of the barriers I believe many clients experience when considering family mediation as an option and
First, I have to declare a bias, based on experience of course. I have mediated disputes for over 15 years as well as represented clients in court for over 20 years but now mediate full time. I am biased towards
Depending on the age of the child, realise that this moment might be something that they will always remember – the time you told them that you, mummy and daddy, were going to live separately. It is therefore critical that
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