Family Mediation Week runs from Monday 27th – Friday 31st January 2025
Couples who have decided to separate or divorce are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle money and parenting arrangements, with the launch of Family Mediation Week 2025 which takes place between 27th and 31st January.
The goal of Family Mediation Week, run by the Family Mediation Council, is to let more people know about the benefits of family mediation – through webinars and local activities – and encourage separating couples to think about mediation as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for their family.
January usually sees a dramatic rise in the number of couples deciding to live apart owing to the pressure that comes with the Christmas period acting as a final straw for relationships.
In addition, both the previous and current UK Government are looking to streamline and improve the resolution of family disputes. Recent amendments to the Family Procedure Rules place a renewed emphasis on non-court dispute resolution mechanisms. For example, separating couples are now required (in most cases) to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before they are able to make a court application.
Rebekah Gershuny, principal of Evolve Family Mediation, says: “Family Mediation Week is a huge help in raising awareness of the benefits of family mediation, a process that can help ex-partners agree what might work for them and their family going forward, whilst avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay and cost it can bring.
The holiday period increases pressure on couples that are already in strained relationships, with many feeling defeated. Those facing separation or divorce often struggle to know which way to turn. While family and friends mean well – they often lack the tools and up to date information needed to advise on life-changing decisions ahead.
By having a discussion with a qualified family mediator, who is trained to diffuse tension and allow all points of view to be heard, couples can calmly work out answers to questions such as: Who will live where? Where will the children live? How can we each spend quality time with the children? How do we go about working out our money? What about debts and pensions? And even family pets?
By shining a helpful spotlight on these challenging issues, Family Mediation Week offers separating couples information about their options as they look to make arrangements for parenting, property and finance.”
Family Mediation is a process where an independent, professionally trained mediator helps couples to work out arrangements, which in turn helps avoid courtroom confrontation. Professional mediators help empower couples to create long-term solutions for their particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for their family.
Rebekah Gershuny of Evolve Family Mediation has written a series of articles, which are available here, designed to set out the options available to couples going through the process of separating. These include:
- What is family mediation and how can it help?
- What is child inclusive mediation?
- Hybrid Mediation
- Preparing for mediation – Active Listening and Practical Steps
- What is Family Arbitration?
- What Is Early Neutral Evaluation?
Evolve Family Mediation is also taking part in the Ministry of Justice’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which meets up to £500 of mediation costs for families if they need to discuss arrangements for children. Legal Aid can also be available for family mediation.
Click here to find out more about the benefits of family mediation or here for more information about our practice.