Separating parents can avoid courtroom conflict
Family Mediation Week 2023
Separating parents are increasingly urged to avoid courtroom conflict, and parents are being asked to consider an alternative dispute resolution option such as Mediation. Many mediation practices, courts and other services are proud to support the mediation process, and there will be even more information provided, as Family Mediation Week runs from 16 – 20 January 2023. People who want to know more about mediation can take part during the week, here is a timetable of events.
Parents who have decided to separate or divorce in 2023 are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle money and parenting arrangements, with the launch of Family Mediation Week. January usually sees a dramatic rise in the number of parents deciding to live apart as the various pressures that go hand-in-hand with the Christmas period act as a final straw for relationships.
Benefits of family mediation
Sukhi Patter, Family Mediator at David Gray says Family Mediation Week is designed to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation, a process that can help ex-partners agree what works for them, whilst avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay and cost it can bring.
She says: “Many parents emerge from the festive period feeling defeated by the pressures on relationships and finances that have been highlighted during the holiday period. Here in the North East we find parents in this position simply don’t know which way to turn. Their life-changing decision to separate brings with it so many tough questions:
- Who lives where?
- Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend time with them?
- How will we sort money?
- What about debts and pensions?
- And even the family dog?
Family Mediation Week shines a helpful spotlight on these tricky issues, offering separating parents 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 you work these things out, enabling you to avoid courtroom confrontation. Professional mediators help empower you to create long-term solutions for your particular circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions for your family.”
Free mediation
The Family Mediation team at David Gray Solicitors LLP 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.
Contact us
Family Mediation Week takes place from 16 – 20 January 2023, organised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to promote the use of family mediation for the benefit of the public. The FMC does not offer mediation itself. Sukhi Patter is an accredited mediator and her details can be found on the FMC Register, which means she meets agreed professional standards. The FMC Register can be searched online, enabling people to find mediators near to them, who are working online. The search facility can be found here: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/
To make an appointment with Sukhi please call 0191 243 8163.
