Solicitor Katie Jennings, who features in our next ‘Rising Talent’ series, explains why  mediation is becoming increasingly important in divorce – and who has inspired her career to date   

What specific qualities do lawyers need to work in family law?

Patience, good communication skills and empathy.

What attracted you to work in family law?

I wanted a career in which I could help people through difficult periods in their lives but also one where I would be able to develop professionally and  be challenged.

What is the most important thing you have learnt to date?

To not be afraid to ask questions of your colleagues – we are all learning and no-one is expected to have all the answers.

You’re on the way to becoming a qualified mediator – why is mediation becoming increasingly important as a process in divorce and relationship breakdown?

To go through the court process is lengthy and costly, not to mention stressful. I think more people are open to exploring other ways to reach agreement as a result. There is also a £500 government voucher scheme for mediations which address child arrangements, which is a useful incentive.  The scheme  has  been extended until March 2029. For information, visit here   

Why do you think many people still see litigation as the only way forward – and what  is your message to them?

I would suggest that they at least find out more information about the alternatives – whether that’s mediation, arbitration or collaborative family practice. Even though those options ultimately might not lead to an agreement, the issues could be narrowed should you end up in court.

What three things don’t your colleagues know about you?

• My first degree was in Peace Studies
• I used to work in a radio station and presented a radio show.
• I’m learning to play the drums.

Who has inspired you in your career?

A mentor called Juliette Kinsey at law school. She is very committed to non-court dispute resolution having trained in collaborative  practice, mediation and family law supervision before these were more widely practised. I’m inspired by her commitment to finding her own path within family law.

Are there any family laws you would like to see changed ?

I’m really pleased to see that the laws around co-habitation will be reviewed – so many people live together for years without being married and don’t realise that their legal rights on separation are limited.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career in family law?  

Start to build connections and take it from there – family law is a small world and people are always keen to help out. My mentor was invaluable in connecting me with key people in family law in my area and those connections eventually led to securing a training contract!

How do you switch from work to home mode?

Luckily I live near a park and woodland, so I try to go out for a walk or run to mark the end of the working day.

For queries on divorce and family law, call 0113 246 0055 (Leeds) 01423 276104 (Harrogate), 202550 (York). Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked 5th among the UK’s Best 20 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2026

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Jones Myers family law solicitor Katie Jennings has successfully completed the key first stage of her training to become an accredited Family Law Mediator.

Katie, who is based at the niche family law firm’s York city centre office, has undergone training with the Family Mediators Association, completing her assignments in the evenings and weekends.

Her decision to become a Family Law Mediator has been influenced by seeing the positive outcomes that mediation has brought for Jones Myers’ clients.

Said Katie: “There is an increased awareness that the court system is under a lot of strain and cases are taking many months, if not years, to conclude, at a great financial and emotional cost.

“I was always aware of mediation as an important, non-confrontational option for divorcing and separating couples going through difficult situations. After seeing how beneficial and positive mediation can be to help resolve cases, I  wanted to develop my skills to help people move forward in a non-adversarial way.”

Jones Myers is an acknowledged leader in offering options to couples who want to deal with the consequences of their separation in a spirit of cooperation and put their children’s best interests first.

Partner, Nicki Mitchell, who heads Jones Myers’ York office, is a Family Law Mediator who  became York’s first Collaborative Family Lawyer in York in 2005. She said: “With even more divorcing and separating couples expected to choose non-confrontational processes to agree the arrangements following their divorce this year, we wish Katie every success in her journey to become a Family Law Mediator.

“Katie is a valued member of our team and her commitment to working in her spare time to achieve accreditation speaks volumes.”      

Over the coming months Katie will work with Nicki and other accredited mediators to develop her mediation skills and then take on her own cases. She will in due course submit a portfolio of her cases to the Family Mediation Council with a view to gaining accreditation.  

Added Katie: “The support I have received from Jones Myers has been invaluable, I couldn’t have asked for a more encouraging and enthusiastic firm. It is an honour to be able to develop my skills as a mediator with the support of Nicki, as she is highly regarded as an experienced mediator. ”

Founded in 1992 as one of the first family law firms of its kind in the North of England, Jones Myers has retained a top position in the Legal 500 and Chambers rankings for over three decades.

For queries on mediation or any aspect of divorce or family law, call 0113 246 0055 (Leeds) 01423 276104 (Harrogate), 01423 276104, (York) 01904 202550 Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked 4^th in the UK’s Best 20 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2026.

The post Jones Myers solicitor on track to boost firm’s mediation expertise    appeared first on Jones Myers.

By Jones Myers Partner, Nicki Mitchell, a Family Law Mediator and Collaborative Family Lawyer

In 2026 more couples who are divorcing and separating are expected to choose non-confrontational ways to legally end their relationship and put their children’s best interests first.   

Among the options available to couples who want to deal with the consequences of their separation in a spirit of cooperation is collaborative family practice, where couples commit to avoid the court route and work together with specially trained lawyers to make their own decisions about the future.    

How does it work – and who is involved?

You and your ex each appoint your own collaboratively trained lawyer and have a series of meetings where you all work together to identify, address and resolve financial, parenting and other key issues. Like mediation, the process is entirely confidential.    

Collaborative family lawyers  provide support and legal advice throughout the sessions. Accountants, independent financial advisers, pensions advisers and/or childcare specialists can also attend and provide guidance on a neutral basis. You have as many or as few meetings as are necessary to resolve the issues between you. 

At the outset you, your collaborative lawyers and any other specialists involved sign a Participation Agreement that commits all of you to strive to reach resolutions without going to court.

The Agreement  prevents your collaborative lawyers from representing you in court if the collaborative process breaks down, ensuring everyone is wholly bought into making the process work.   

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Like mediation, collaborative family  practice puts you and your ex in the driving seat so you can progress the sessions at your own pace, working around your respective work and family commitments.

Faster, less stressful and more cost effective than going to court, it ensures that everyone involved is committed to achieving a solution. In times where transparency is encouraged in the family courts and journalists can attend hearings, collaborative practice guarantees your family’s privacy.

What happens if a successful outcome is reached?

Once an agreement is reached, your lawyers will formalise it, obtaining a formally binding Court Order without you having to go to court.

What if talks break down? 

At any time during the sessions either of you can terminate the process through a Formal Notice of Withdrawal. Again, as in mediation, failure can be avoided with the right support, including where necessary, an early neutral evaluation or arbitration on disputed legal issues.

How does this process differ from mediation?

In mediation, family mediators are neutral – they cannot give advice to either of you as their role is  to facilitate discussions leading to your own decisions being made.

Collaborative family lawyers, however, can advise those they represent at the same time as conducting the negotiations. As highlighted above, they also sign an agreement to avoid court, providing a positive investment in the process for the whole team.  

Our specialist family lawyers help our clients to prepare for non-confrontational routes to divorce, working with them to achieve their desired outcomes.  

For queries on any aspect of divorce or family law, call 0113 246 0055 (Leeds) 01423 276104 (Harrogate), 01423 276104, (York) 01904 202550 Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked 4^th in the UK’s Best 20 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2026.

Image courtesy of Eric Ward, Unsplash

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By Jones Myers Partner, Nicki Nitchell, a Family Law Mediator and Collaborative Family Lawyer

As an experienced Family Law Mediator and Collaborative Family Lawyer with extensive expertise in litigation, I understand the challenges facing separating couples in finding the right way to divorce for their individual circumstances.

The trepidation of a prolonged, costly, and stressful court divorce is prompting an increasing number of  couples to seek out routes such as mediation and collaborative family law which avoid going to court.

Another option is arbitration where separating couples hire a ‘private judge’ to accelerate the outcome of their financial settlements.

These processes were previously known as Alternative Dispute Resolution – because they provide alternatives to litigating in court. The language has now changed to refer to Dispute Resolution, the hope being that they will become the first choice and court the last resort.  I am not convinced that this is where we are now but what is clear is that these options are often better choices than court as they promote a spirit of collaboration for spouses and parents to achieve the best  future for their family, with the children’s best interests in mind.  

Over the coming weeks I will explain more about these  options and their advantages and disadvantages to help you to decide which is best for your unique situation. Our first article focuses on mediation.    

What is mediation? 

Mediation is a means of resolving family disputes constructively. It enables you to keep  control over  decisions which will  affect the future of you and your family.  In the court process you potentially hand those decisions over to a judge, who does not know you or your family and knows nothing about what is important to you. Mediation is appropriate for most situations including the most financially complex.

Who is involved in mediation?

The private and confidential process takes place in a safe, impartial environment and involves a mediator like me, an independent third party who helps you and your ex to reach an agreement over key areas.  At the outset both of you sign an Agreement to Mediate so negotiations can continue on a ‘without prejudice’ basis.

The number of discussions/sessions varies for each couple depending upon the complexity of the split. As a facilitator, the mediator assists, guides, and helps you to move dialogue forward.  

Many mediators, myself included, are lawyers and can provide extremely useful information about the law to inform your decisions.

Whether or not they are legally qualified, mediators will recommend that you each  retain  your own solicitor who can provide specific legal advice where required during the process.

What does success in mediation look like?

A successful outcome in mediation can mean many things.  Many couples choose the mediation process to get to an agreement which is formalised in a binding Court Order.

Often called a Final Order, this is a legal document which officially terminates your marriage without you having to go to court.  However, mediation has many other advantages, including developing a new way of communicating as separated parents.

Is mediation compulsory?

No. Mediation is a voluntary process. You may have read about a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) meeting, usually relating to cases involving finances or children, which all divorcing couples are expected to attend before court proceedings are issued.

These meetings are designed to inform  you both about alternative resolution schemes and to establish if the circumstances are suitable for mediation.

What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Mediation can result in a swifter resolution, reducing legal expenses which mount up in prolonged court cases between warring couples. Highly confidential, it is a more impartial and considered approach and can lessen the emotional impact of separation and divorce on children.

What happens if mediation fails?

Due to its voluntary nature, talks can be concluded at any time if headway is not made. However, there are many ways in which the process can be adapted to get over sticky issues and avoid failure. 

There is an increasing trend towards lawyers being present in mediation sessions to provide technical advice and support during the process, in particular where there are difficult dynamics and/or complex legal issues. 

Alternatively, disputed legal points can be determined by bringing in a neutral lawyer to give a view or even an arbitrator to give a binding decision on a particular issue. All of this can be done in the context of mediation.

Jones Myers specialist family lawyers are at the forefront of non-confrontational routes to divorce such as mediation and collaborative family practice.

For queries on mediation, divorce or family law, call 0113 246 0055 (Leeds) 01423 276104 (Harrogate), (York) 01904 202550, Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked 5^th among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

Image by Hutomo Abrianto on Unsplash. This article first appeared in The Divorce Magazine 

The post Mediation, Arbitration, Collaborative Law, Court? : The Best Option For You Part 1 appeared first on Jones Myers.

Jones Myers niche family law firm is marking a formative year which includes doubling the size of its team in York city centre.

A raft of new appointments, which further enhance the expertise of the practice’s specialist family lawyers, include solicitors Brittany Codling and Katie Jennings.

Brittany and Katie are members of Jones Myers’ Divorce and Financial Remedies Department which is praised by Legal 500 as a “leading matrimonial finance firm” for its “first-rate client care” and “strength in depth.”

Legal assistants Linda Lacey and Sarah Martin also join the team headed by Jones Myers Partner, Nicki Mitchell – York’s first qualified collaborative family lawyer who is also a family law mediator and child inclusive mediator.

Said Nicki: “We warmly welcome our new team members and wish them all every success. They join us during an outstanding 12 months as Jones Myers further consolidates its reputation as a leading family law firm in the York legal market.”

With headquarters in Leeds and additional offices in Harrogate, Jones Myers has retained its top tier rankings in the Legal 500 and Chambers UK guides for three decades.

Said Brittany: “Jones Myers’ standing as a respected Tier 1 family law firm is known far and wide. I am delighted to be working alongside the best family lawyers in their field on complex, high net worth cases.”

Added Sarah: “Having previously worked with some team members, I was attracted by Jones Myers’ commitment to excellence and clear focus on what clients need when faced with relationship breakdown. I’m really enjoying my new role.”

Jones Myers is ranked in the top five per cent of UK law practices which deliver family law services by Review Solicitors, an independent legal review site. Outperforming its peers nationwide, the firm’s clients award the practice a consistent ‘Excellent’ rating.

The firm also holds the title for Outstanding Client Care in the nationwide Modern Law Private Client Awards which champion and celebrate firms working in the private client industry.

Jones Myers’ York office is located at The Quadrant, Bootham Row.

For queries on any aspect of family law, call Jones Myers at Leeds 0113 246 0055, Harrogate 01423 276104, or York 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked in the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025

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The enormous benefits of Mediation for divorcing couples include reaching solutions which prioritise children’s well-being and benefit the wider family in the long term.

Jones Myers Partner Nicki Mitchell – a skilled Mediator, Collaborative family lawyer, and Child-Inclusive Mediator – has seen at first-hand how the process which is conducted in a spirit of collaboration, can avoid costly and destructive court battles.

Nicki’s experience is that an increasing number of divorcing and separating couples are turning to Mediation to work through everything from child support payments to the most financially complex divorces.

In the countdown to Family Mediation Week, which runs across January 27- January 31 and is organised by the Family Mediation Council, Nicki explains how mediation works and who is involved.

ABOUT NICKI MITCHELL

With three decades of experience in family law, Nicki specialises in the financial aspects of relationship breakdown – and particularly complex cases involving family businesses, multiple properties, and complicated pension arrangements.

Nicki is a skilled Mediator, Collaborative Family Lawyer (the first to qualify in York in 2005) and Child Inclusive Mediator.

She is a widely acknowledged and respected pioneer of resolving relationship breakdown in a non-confrontational, constructive manner which puts children at the heart of relationship breakdown and can lead to a swift and cost effective resolution.

Her exceptional track record also includes advising clients on the more traditional methods of resolving issues surrounding family breakdowns.

For advice on Mediation, Child-Inclusive Mediation, or family law related issues, call Jones Myers at Leeds on 0113 246 0055, Harrogate on 01423 276104, or York on 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

For more information on Family Mediation Week, visit https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/

Jones Myers blog is ranked among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2025.

Image by OleksandrPidvalnyi at Pixabay

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Jones Myers Partner, Nicki Mitchell, is celebrating a career in family law spanning thirty years.

A skilled family lawyer, mediator and child inclusive mediator, Nicki was York’s first collaborative family lawyer in 2006.

She is a highly respected pioneer of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – non confrontational and constructive options for divorcing and separating couples which avoid going to court.

Nicki’s extensive expertise includes the financial aspects of divorce and separation, particularly complex cases involving family businesses, multiple properties, and complicated pension arrangements.

Jones Myers’ reputation in York as a leader in family law continues to go from strength to strength after Nicki headed the firm’s expansion to the city in 2019. Three years later the team marked further growth to bigger premises at Bootham Row in line with client demand.

The Legal 500 2025 Guide endorses Nicki as a Recommended UK Lawyer, who has “established a strong niche family law presence in York with an enviable reputation for specialist and tailored family law services”.

Nicki also retains her listing in the Family and Matrimonial category of the latest Chambers 2025 legal guide and is also ranked for her ADR expertise.

Highlighting her strong reputation in York, the guide says “Nicki has her clients’ best interests at heart,” is “very sensible and very good in her approach” and is “pragmatic, sensible and comes to a positive solution.”

Said Nicki: “My passion for, and commitment to, family law and seeking the best solutions for our clients is as strong now as when I started out thirty years ago. It has been tremendous to witness formative changes including no-fault divorce and the increase in options such as mediation and collaboration which avoid lengthy and expensive court litigation and put children’s best interests first.

“Jones Myers’ reputation for excellence is recognised across the UK and overseas and I’m proud to play a key role in the firm’s continued growth and development.”

Richard Peaker, Jones Myers Managing Partner, said: “We congratulate Nicki on her significant milestone and her exceptional track record. Nicki’s commitment and extensive expertise is instrumental to our standing in York and we wish her continued success.”

With headquarters in Leeds and offices in York and Harrogate, Jones Myers is a multi-award winning family law practice which has consistently achieved top tier rankings in legal guides for almost three decades.

Additional highlights include the firm winning the Client Care category of The Modern Law Private Client Awards 2024 for its outstanding service to clients.

For queries on divorce or family law, call us 0113 246 0055 (Leeds) 01423 276104 (Harrogate), 01904 202550 (York). Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2024

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Jones Myers flies high in Chambers rankings

Jones Myers’ reputation as a leader in its field sees the firm retain another top tier legal guide listing – with more of its specialist family lawyers ranked for their expertise.  

Chambers 2025 legal guide has awarded the muti-award winning family law firm a Band 1 ranking for the whole of Yorkshire.

The latest edition applauds Jones Myers’ expertise in dealing with financial remedy proceedings along with cases involving shareholder issues, property portfolios and complex pension schemes.

It also highlights the practice’s ability to handle complicated children cases, including matters concerning abuse, abduction and exploitation.

Managing Partner, Richard Peaker, who advises on high-value matrimonial finance disputes and advises landowners and high-earning professionals on divorce and cohabitation matters, retains his Band 1 ranking.

Based on client interviews and testimonials, the guide says: “Richard is extremely experienced and I regard him absolutely as a go-to matrimonial finance specialist in the region.”

Partner Kate Banerjee, head of the Children’s Team and recognised as “the go-to children specialist in Yorkshire” also remains in Band 1.

Hailed as “a phenomenal lawyer and someone I recommend,” the guide describes Kate as  “an exceptionally good quality solicitor” who“always goes the extra mile for the client.” 

Retaining her listing in the Family and Matrimonial category, Partner Nicki Mitchell is also ranked for her expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – non confrontational options for divorcing and separating couples which avoid going to court.   

A collaborative lawyer, accredited family mediator and child inclusive mediator who heads the firm’s York office, Nicki’s expertise includes matrimonial finance disputes and private children matters. 

Highlighting her strong reputation in York as, clients laud how “Nicki has her clients’ best interests at heart,” is “very sensible and very good in her approach” and is “pragmatic, sensible and comes to a positive solution.”

Jones Myers Partner, Elizabeth Bell – described as a “very talented” and “high-quality lawyer”whose“conduct, management and handling of clients is superb“ – is ranked for the first time.

Advising clients on matrimonial finance matters, including complex elements such as pensions, trusts and domestic abuse allegations, clients stress how “Elizabeth is highly committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for clients. She is passionate about achieving a fair outcome and is very experienced.”

Said Managing Partner, Richard Peaker: “We are immensely delighted with, and proud of, Chambers glowing accolades which reflect our lawyers’ unique breadth and depth of expertise.

It is tremendous that even more of our specialists are acknowledged as leaders in their field in the 2025 edition. We give our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated teams for upholding our reputation for continuously delivering excellence in client care.”

The listing follows Jones Myers’ top tier Legal 500 2025 ranking which re-enforces the practice’s ‘first class reputation for private client money and children work’ and lauds its ‘perfect blend of vast experience and strength in depth.’

With headquarters in Leeds and offices in Harrogate and York, Jones Myers has retained its ‘best in class’ standing in legal guides for almost three decades.

For queries on divorce or family law, call us 0113 246 0055 (Leeds) 01423 276104 (Harrogate), 202550 (York). Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet 01904 @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2024.

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Our outstanding reputation has been further consolidated in our top tier ranking in the Legal 500 2025 guide for our ‘perfect blend of vast experience and strength in depth’.

Based on client interviews and recommendations, the guide applauds our ‘First class reputation for private client money and children work.

‘It is one of the ‘go to firms’ in the North East because of its excellent teams of lawyers who offer a high level of expertise in family law. Its client care is first rate and court preparation stands out.’

We are complimented on the ‘intellectually rigorous approach’ of our divorce and financial remedies team, and forthe firm’s ‘strength in depth and for the commitment to its clients of the team as a whole.’  Lawyers singled out are:

Richard Peaker – Legal 500 Leading Partner

…undoubtedly one of the leading matrimonial finance lawyers in the North – a consummate lawyer with a wealth of experience, an intellectually rigorous approach and a highly professional manner, which in combination inspire tremendous confidence in his clients.

Kate Banerjee – Legal 500 Leading Partner

Providing advice of ‘the highest calibre’ as head of Jones Myers Children’s Department, the guide says Kate’s dedication to her clients, depth of knowledge and sensitivity in highly emotive cases is of the highest calibre. She is caring and sensitive but firm in her advice when needed.

Partner Anthony Parrish –  Legal 500 Next Generation Partner

Legal 500 says Anthony ‘excels in child abduction matters’.

Partner Nicki Mitchell – Head of Jones Myers York office

Nicki Mitchell has established a strong niche family law presence in York with an enviable reputation for specialist and tailored family law services. The firm is strong on dispute resolution offering mediation and collaborative services. It is always a pleasure to work with Jones Myers as they can be trusted to take a constructive and conciliatory approach.

Partner Elizabeth Bell

Elizabth Bell is a highly experienced matrimonial finance lawyer who works extremely hard to get the best results for her clients. She is easy to work with, prepares a case immaculately …her client handling skills are admirable.

Partner and In House Counsel Andrew Fox

Andrew has ‘vast experience’ and is ‘an expert in Trusts and complex financial structures’.

Senior Legal Advisor Anna Bell (née Sutcliffe)

Anna Sutcliffe is a very experienced family law specialist. She works very hard for her clients but at the same time takes a fair and constructive approach.   

Maintaining our ‘best in class’ standing for almost three decades, we remain the only Top Tier family law practice in Legal 500’s Yorkshire region rankings with a York office.

Said Managing Partner, Richard Peaker: “Our standing as leaders in our field whose extensive experience consistently delivers top class client care is reenforced in our ongoing top rankings. All credit and enormous thanks to our committed and talented teams who work tirelessly for our valued clients.”   

For queries on divorce or family law, call us 0113 246 0055 (Leeds) 01423 276104 (Harrogate), 01904 202550 (York). Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2024.

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By Nicki Mitchell, Jones Myers Family Law Mediator and Child Inclusive Mediator

Divorce and separation can be hard on children and can have long-term effects on their mental and physical well-being.

This is why at Jones Myers we seek non-confrontational solutions to relationship breakdown which put children’s interests first. As a Child-Inclusive Mediator, I would like to share the positive aspects of child inclusive mediation for parents and their children.

What is child inclusive mediation?

Child-inclusive mediation enables separating couples to avoid a lengthy, stressful and expensive  Court divorce.  

As a process, it gives children a voice and helps parents put their children’s wellbeing at the heart of their break up by talking about their needs and keeping them at the forefront of their minds when working out the practicalities of separation.

How does it work?

A child-inclusive mediator will firstly see both separating parents whose permission is required for the mediator to meet with their children on their own.

Once parents have consented, the mediator will make initial contact with the children to explain what the conversation would involve – and ask them if they would like to go ahead with it.

During one or more meetings with the mediator, the children can express their feelings about their parents’ break up. They are not asked to make choices or decisions about their personal situations and, although they can ask the mediator to relay what they have said to their parents, they are under no obligation to do so.

It is really important that everybody involved enters into child-inclusive mediation with the right intention – and are prepared for what might come out of it.

How old are the children involved?

The process usually involves children aged ten or over. Younger children can be involved with their older siblings however it is understandably not appropriate for tiny children. 

What are the benefits?

Child-inclusive mediation promotes a spirit of co-operation for separating parents to work out arrangements which put their children’s wellbeing at the heart of the break up.      

My experience reflects extensive research findings which re-inforce how children benefit from talking with, and expressing their feelings to, an impartial mediator – even if they do not want anything they said passed back to their parents.

Studies also confirm how children who have had their voices heard in this way tend to have better mental health outcomes as young adults compared to their peers who have experienced parental separation but have not gone through this process. 

For advice on child-inclusive mediation, mediation, or family law related issues, call us at Leeds on 0113 246 0055, Harrogate on 01423 276104, or York on 01904 202550. Visit www.jonesmyers.co.uk, email info@jonesmyers.co.uk or tweet @helpwithdivorce

Jones Myers blog is ranked among the UK’s Best 25 family law blogs and websites to follow in 2024.

Image by 2147792 from Pixabay

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