This week is Family Mediation week, and with that in mind Samantha Lee looks at how divorce has changed over the past few decades, and what affect this can have on children. “In the 80s those facing divorce often felt judged, criticised and isolated; they were often the first people in their families whose marriage […]
Latest statistics published by the Ministry of Justice show that the number of MIAMs have decreased by 14% for the latest quarter, compared with the same time the previous year. The level of MIAMs is now about half the number which occurred prior to the implementation of LASPO, with the majority of couples attending such […]
In recent weeks and months there has been significant media coverage of the on-going Court proceedings between Guy Ritchie and Madonna over their son Rocco. Until December 2015 Rocco had been living with his mother in New York. However, he accompanied her on her world tour and after a disagreement whilst the tour was in […]
A recent survey for Family Mediators Association has shown that divorcing and separating couples are having difficulty accessing the information they need to help them make informed decisions about key issues such as financial issues. The survey showed that around 15% of people were unaware that there were more ways to resolve family matters than […]
23 – 27 November 2015 was Dispute Resolution (DR) week. This is a campaign lead by practioners’ group, Resolution, to promote the use of alternative methods of dispute resolution. The message of this year’s campaign was #childrenfirst. It is easy to become embroiled in the emotional turmoil of a separation and for children to get […]
Currently in order to divorce in England and Wales, you have to show that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. One of five facts can be used to prove this: Adultery of the other person Unreasonable behaviour 2 years separation, with consent 5 years separation, without consent Desertion If a couple have drifted apart […]
An extensive survey has shown that 4 out of 10 children born in 2000 will experience their parents separating by the time they are 11 years old. The survey was conducted and compared to a similar survey carried out in 1969 and, unsurprisingly, shows a significant increase in the number of separated families. The survey […]
Resolution, the representative group promoting a constructive approach to resolving family disputes, have launched a new manifesto – let’s spread the word! Family disputes have historically been characterised by bitter fighting in court and spending endless amounts of money on lawyers. However, members of Resolution have for a long time been promoting #abetterway and promoting […]
A couple racked up legal fees totalling a third of their assets in a bitter legal battle, ending in a 7 day trial. The Judge commented that the case could have been “easily settled” and that he was “lost for words” in relation to the costs that were accumulated. It had taken this family 18 […]
A high profile divorce case involving a husband who has stayed at home and cared for their young daughter whilst his wife worked in a high earning job, has been reported this week. The court acknowledged that the couple had effectively lived their lives with a “reversal of the traditional husband and wife roles”. Yet, […]