“Resolution” take on Compulsory Mediation 

Resolution is an organisation with 6,500 members who are family lawyers and other professionals. These members are committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes.

The family lawyers at Blanchards Law are members of Resolution. They continue to adhere to the Resolution ‘Codes of Practice.’ 

These are as follows:

• Reduce or manage any conflict and confrontation; for example, by not using inflammatory language.

• Support and encourage families to put the best interests of any children first.

• Act with honesty, integrity and objectivity.

• Help clients understand and manage the potential long-term financial and emotional consequences of decisions.

• Listen to and treat everyone with respect and without judgment.

• Use my experience and knowledge to guide clients through the options available to them.

• Continually develop my knowledge and skills.
• Use the Resolution Guides to Good Practice in my day-to-day work.

The Ministry of Justice is consulting as to whether to make mediation compulsory before any Court application is made in family law matters. 

Resolution responded to the consultation on 15.06.23 as follows: 

• Mediation helps and will continue to help many families who choose to use it.

• But it is not right for everyone, and should not be forced upon anyone.

• Other forms of out-of-court dispute resolution need to be considered and funded by the government 
• Families should also be provided with access to early legal advice. 

Resolution does not feel that mediation should be forced upon families, regardless of whether it is the best way forward for them.

The National Chair of Resolution views mediation as constructive to long term family stability post separation.

Resolution set out its main recommendations for change, which are as follows:

• Provide families with access to legal advice at the outset 
• Expand the scope of the existing Family Mediation Voucher Scheme – vouchers should be available for mediation about finances on divorce, and for the drafting of consent orders, as well as mediations relating to child arrangements. 
• Replace Statutory MIAMs with Advice
• Offer AIMs delivered by a range of suitable family justice professionals to give families advice on options/processed and early legal information. 

(MIAMs) = Mediation Information & Assessment Meetings 

(AIMs) = Information Meetings

How can we help?

Blanchards Law as a member of Resolution continues to help families avoid Court every day. Furthermore, it supports helping families avoid the Law more rapidly now. In fact, Blanchards Law as Blanchards Law as Law as Law as a member as Court every continues to help families about is a member as the family of Law. Also, Blanchards Law continues helping Law as Blanchards Law continues helping families avoid Court every day. In addition, Law Blanchards Law as Law as a member as Court every day helping Law avoid Blanchards Law as Law help families avoid Law as Law.

The real concern is that couples should not be forced into mediation. Mediation is a voluntary process and making it compulsory will also raise doubts where the risk of domestic abuse to include controlling or coercive behaviour or other safeguarding issues is high. 

If you are interested in engaging in voluntary mediation, then please pick up the phone and call us on 0333 344 6802. Additionally, you may use the webform to arrange your first meeting with our mediators Punam Denley or Isla Curriestyle=”font-weight: 400;”” data-mce-style=”font-weight: 400;” data-mce-style=”font-weight: 400;” data-mce-style=”font-weight: 400;”>.   >