Family Mediation Week 2025: What is Mediation and how can it help you and your family?

Family Mediation Week is a campaign run by the Family Mediation Council. This year, Family Mediation Week will run from 27 to 31 January 2025. It offers a chance to explore how mediation can assist couples navigating divorce or separation by resolving disputes in a more constructive and less confrontational manner. There are several benefits to participating in family mediation, which we have outlined in more detail below.

Here at Ellis Jones Solicitors LLP, we encourage all clients, when suitable, to consider mediation and or another form of Non-Court Dispute Resolution. Court should always be considered a last resort, except in a few exceptional cases. Our Family Lawyers here at Ellis Jones are all members of Resolution.  We are therefore committed to keeping matters out of court, when possible.

What is Family Mediation?

Family mediation is a flexible process where a qualified, impartial mediator facilitates discussions between you and your ex-partner on issues such as how much time the children should spend with each parent and/or how the matrimonial finances should be divided. The goal is to find solutions that benefit everyone, particularly the children.

In contrast to Court proceedings, mediation offers a more cooperative and less adversarial setting, leading to quicker resolutions, greater control over the outcome, and a more affordable approach. Whether communication is easy or difficult, mediation can help you reach a fair agreement on the terms of your divorce in a supportive and manageable way.

Mediation can be adapted to meet the needs of the parties involved. For instance, shuttle mediation can be arranged, where each party is placed in separate rooms, allowing them to avoid direct contact with the other person. We are also seeing an increasing number of cases being handled through hybrid mediation. Hybrid mediation involves the mediator being able to bring along family professionals/experts into the process to help deal with complex and difficult matters. They can also bring in the parties’ lawyers to help advise. This is particularly beneficial in complex and difficult matters.

You can read more about the mediation process here.

How can Ellis Jones help?

At Ellis Jones, we’re happy to support you through this process. Deborah Leask, Katie Taft and Asya Panchalieva are family lawyers who are also qualified and experienced mediators. Our experienced mediators understand the emotional and practical challenges of separation and will support you through the entire process. Whether you’re just beginning to consider mediation or are ready to move forward, we are happy to help you find the best solution for you and your family.

If you need advice or assistance from a family lawyer in relation to divorce, finances or your children or you are interested in instructing Deborah, Katie or Asya for mediation, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please call on 01202 525333 or email matrimonialdepartment@ellisjones.co.uk.