The Future of National Family Mediation

national family mediation(NFM) is an organisation that promotes and supports family mediation throughout England and Wales. The organisation offers a free, alternative and non-confrontational way for families who have separated to resolve their practical, financial and emotional issues. NFM can help couples reach a mutual agreement for their future arrangements including children, property and finances. However, it cannot provide legal advice so it is often recommended that people see their own solicitor before attending mediation sessions.

While the majority of disputes that lead to separation and divorce are resolved through the traditional courts, a significant number of family law cases go through a mediation process. The aim of this is to reduce the amount of time and money involved in court proceedings whilst allowing couples to discuss their issues in a private and confidential setting. While the process is not appropriate for every situation, it can be very useful and can offer some advantages which other forms of dispute resolution may not be able to.

A major advantage of the mediation process is that it can be more flexible and bespoke to each case than is possible within the court system. It can also be cheaper and quicker than a standard court-based case. Furthermore, it can be a much more empowering process for couples who are separating, and it is generally felt to be less stressful for the whole family.

However, there are some issues that need to be addressed if the mediation service is going to continue to grow and be sustainable. One such issue is the tension that exists between different mediator sub-groups. A recent empirical study, consisting of 17 interviews with family mediators, revealed a distinct divide between therapeutic and lawyer mediators. The results indicate a growing sense of division within the mediator community, which has serious implications for future development of the mediation service in England and Wales.

This paper discusses the findings from this research and examines the potential for a hybrid mediator type that has significant training and experience in both therapeutic and legal practice. It considers the value, and risks, of such a model and makes recommendations on how to move forward in this respect.

In the meantime, we encourage anyone interested in resolving their family disputes through mediation to visit our find a mediator page to see which NFM accredited family mediators are located near them. The most important thing to remember, however, is that mediation is not suitable for everyone and it is always recommended that couples speak to their solicitor before starting the process. It is important to be aware of alternatives such as arbitration and collaborative law, which can be discussed with our team of family lawyers if necessary. For further information please contact us today.