Family Mediation Bulletin - May 2024

The Family & Mediation Team is delighted to bring this round-up of news and videos to help highlight the importance of mediation. If you have any queries please do get in touch using our contact details below.

Family Procedure Rules

The revision of the Family Procedure Rules in relation to non-court dispute resolution came into effect on 29th April 2024. Many will be aware of the previous consultation by the government that couples should make a reasonable attempt at mediation. The changes in April this year have not gone that far and instead the court now has a duty to consider at every stage in proceedings whether non-court dispute resolution, read about the changes in full here.

Mediation debate

Stone King Mediators Rebecca Eels and Caroline Fell recently joined a panel of other mediators and lawyers to debate the motion “Separating couples should both be required to attempt mediation to resolve family issues, except where safeguarding issues preclude it”. The webinar, arranged by 3PB Chambers, asked all participants to vote for or against the motion at the start and then at the end of the webinar. 78% of participants voted in favour before hearing from the panel, this figure reduced to 70% at the end of the webinar.

In case you missed it: mediation video explainers

Our Family & Mediation Team regularly produces informative content to help clients and lawyers understand the process. Watch: What is Mediation?, Child-inclusive Mediation and what happens at a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), and look out for the team’s new videos. Click here to watch the videos.

Stone King continues to support the mediation voucher scheme

Our Family & Mediation Team welcomes the extension of a government scheme which gives separating couples up to £500 worth of vouchers to use on mediation. More details here.

A warm welcome to Zara Jordan

We’re delighted to welcome Associate Zara to Stone King’s Family & Mediation Team in Bath, bringing with her a wealth of experience from both her legal and banking careers.

Zara advises on a broad range of private family law matters including divorce, division of financial assets upon separation and children arrangements. Read more here.

If you are interested in making a referral you can do so via the website, email or download our referral form here. Details of our mediation services can be found here.