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Welcoming a Government announcement of increased funding for some forms of civil legal aid, Stephen Burke, Chair of the Family Mediation Council (FMC), said: “This is an encouraging first step on the road to rebuilding civil legal aid, and could set the scene for a much needed boost to legal aid rates for family mediators […]

Reducing costs of parental conflict will mean significant savings for UK economy  The new Justice Secretary has been asked to make a firm commitment to “a different approach to family breakdown,” and in so doing reap huge benefits for the UK economy, as well as for separated families. In a letter to Rt Hon Shabana […]

The newly-appointed Chair of The Family Mediation Council (FMC) says he is determined to raise awareness of the positive impact of family mediation, claiming the process remains a “relatively well-kept secret.” Stephen Burke takes up the role on Wednesday 12 June, beginning his duties by chairing a meeting of the decision-making Board of the FMC, […]

New figures show the growing success of Family Mediation Week, with well over 3,000 people having participated in a series of webinars and face-to-face meetings held during the January 2024 event, almost doubling the corresponding figure for 2023. Family Mediation Week 2024 events, organised by The Family Mediation Council (“the FMC”), provided information and support […]

The Family Mediation Council (“the FMC”), the home of accredited family mediation across England and Wales, has welcomed an announcement by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) of its plans to resolve private family law disputes earlier through mediation. Beverley Sayers, FMC Board member, says: “Too many separating couples currently see the primary route of taking […]

Who lives where? How do we sort money? Who gets the dog? Parents who have made the decision to separate are being invited to find out how they can avoid a courtroom confrontation to settle money, property and parenting issues, when ‘Family Mediation Week 2024’ takes place from 22 – 26 January. “January usually sees […]

Professionals working in family justice will have opportunities to find out more about how family mediation can support them in their work, by attending a range of free one-hour webinars during Family Mediation Week 2024. From Monday 22 to Friday 26 January, lawyers, arbitrators, CAFCASS officers, the judiciary and local family justice board members are […]

The school term is only a few weeks old, but this month many parents are casting their eyes almost a full year ahead to September 2024, when their child will be due to start secondary school. With applications for next autumn’s secondary school places due to close on 31 October, many parents are considering their […]

Family dispute resolution experts are preparing for an increase in demand from separating parents as the school summer holiday heads towards a close. John Taylor, Chair of The Family Mediation Council, says the various pressures of the six-week holiday often lead to a rise in the number of parents calling time on their relationship – […]

The Family Mediation Council (FMC) was invited to participate in an Oral Evidence session of the House of Commons Justice Select Commitee on Monday 19 June. The session formed part of the Committee’s work looking into a government proposal that could require families seeking help with arrangements to separate to seek mediation before taking their […]