Mid-way through Family Mediation Week, Today’s Family Lawyer readers have shared their thoughts on the benefits of mediation and the supporting role it plays in legal practice.
With plenty of events still available to attend in person and online, Helen Anthony, chief executive of the Family Mediation Council, says it’s not too late to get involved.
“These free online events are designed to let more people know about family mediation and encourage separating couples to think about the process as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for their family,” she said.
You can see all the events on the Family Mediation Council website, at www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/family-mediation-week-2026-timetable
What do family lawyers think about family mediation?
Corinne Parke, family partner at Keystone Law:
“Family mediation plays a vital role in supporting families and is quickly becoming the first step when relationships break down. Mediation provides the participants with the opportunity to focus on their priorities in a practical and safe environment, with communication at its heart. It puts control in the hands of families, leading to outcomes that are more sustainable as they are achieved through open discussions and mutual recognition of the issues relevant to each participant.
“The process is also much faster, avoiding court delays, and can therefore be significantly cheaper. Because of these benefits, mediation is on the rise, with courts actively directing families to attempt mediation as an avenue to a resolution. Mediation is no longer just an alternative – it’s becoming the first choice.
“Common issues include child arrangements, such as where children live, time with each parent, and more specific issues such as schooling. However, mediation is flexible to suit every family’s needs. It can also help with changes to existing arrangements, financial settlements after separation, and essentially any issue where effective communication can lead to a solution.
“Family Mediation Week is an important opportunity to highlight how mediation can help families move forward with solutions that work in practice, not just on paper.”
Chris Lloyd-Smith, partner in the matrimonial team at Anthony Collins:
“Family mediation services have long been recognised as a cost-effective avenue for separating couples to find amicable resolutions when they are experiencing a relationship breakdown. Mediation is more collaborative and less adversarial by nature, it is also far cheaper than going to court to achieve a settlement. In accordance with legislation from 2011, all couples who wish to commence court proceedings to resolve family issues must have first considered family mediation. If they have not attended a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, a court is likely to refuse to hear their case until mediation has been attempted.
“An additional benefit of NCDR is that every case settled out of court reduces pressure on the Family Court system. To help address the backlog of cases waiting to be heard, the government has extended funding for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme until March 2026, offering separating couples up to £500 towards mediation costs where child arrangements are discussed. Government data indicates that the scheme has saved around £85.6 million by diverting cases away from court.
“Supporting couples through dispute resolution is not simply about avoiding court however, it is about helping both parties reach a practical and amicable outcome. For many people, seeking legal guidance during a relationship breakdown can feel overwhelming, leaving them stuck, isolated, and uncertain. Family lawyers, therefore, have an important role to play in improving access to clear, early information about divorce, legal considerations, and mediation.”
Katie Beaven, partner and head of the family team at Birketts LLP:
“Mediation invites families to move away from entrenched, adversarial positions and instead embrace understanding, collaboration and forward‑looking resolutions. For me, this week shines a light on the profound importance of creating spaces where people feel truly heard rather than judged, and supported rather than scrutinised.
“It reflects a simple but powerful truth: even in moments of separation, strain, or uncertainty, we can choose compassion. We can choose to soften tension rather than inflame it. We can choose to rebuild communication rather than allow it to splinter.
“As someone committed to constructive, humane, and emotionally intelligent approaches. Family Mediation Week reminds me of the privilege we have in supporting families towards calmer, kinder futures, and of the meaningful impact that thoughtful dispute resolution can have on those we serve.”
Katie Longmate, partner in the family and children team at law firm Russell-Cooke, LLP:
“There has been a significant rise in both interest in, and demand for, mediation. This is being driven by longer court waiting lists, a growing judicial emphasis on non-court dispute resolution (NCDR), and an increased awareness of alternatives to litigation. Once seen as the ‘soft’ or ‘easy’ option, mediation is now more widely recognised as a robust process capable of resolving even complex disputes.
“Mediation has also become far more collaborative and multidisciplinary. It is increasingly common to work alongside pension experts, financial advisers, valuers and early neutral evaluators, ensuring that every aspect of a case can be addressed. Where appropriate, mediation is combined with other forms of NCDR – for example, using arbitration to resolve discrete issues within a wider settlement process. There is also growing use of child-inclusive mediation, giving children a chance to be heard where appropriate. Together, these evolving approaches help families reach well-rounded, informed outcomes by agreement.
“However, mediation will not be suitable for everyone and identifying safeguarding and power imbalance issues is key. Survivors of domestic abuse should never be forced to attend (but we can and should look for ways to support and safeguard where we can). A fundamental principle of mediation is that it is voluntary, and this must not be lost in the current drive to divert cases away from court.
“For mediation to work at its best, the right support must be available at the right time – legal, practical and therapeutic. Increasingly, this includes lawyer-supported or hybrid models, with legal advice provided alongside the mediation process itself. Preparation is also crucial, yet too often overlooked. When these elements are in place, mediation can offer a safe, constructive and effective way to resolve issues before litigation or even alongside ongoing cases. There’s also been an increase in couples reaching for mediation having seen the reality of the inside of the courtroom – perhaps pointing to a growing preference for more constructive, cost-effective, and less adversarial ways of resolving disputes.”
