Family Mediators Welcome Government Voucher Scheme for Family Mediation to resolve issues relating to children

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The government announced on 26 March 2021 that it is investing £1m in family mediation, to support families . Under the scheme, the Ministry of Justice will provide contributions of up to £500 per family, to resolve issues relating to children following parental separation. Mediation will be provided by Family Mediation Council Accredited (FMCA) mediators… Read more »

How to start the mediation process; MIAMS.

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Before attending a joint mediation meeting you need to attend a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting, or ‘MIAM’ for short, to see if mediation could be used to resolve your difficulties and to avoid going to court. If you need to go to court you must first attend this meeting. The MIAM is a confidential meeting between you and a mediator… Read more »

Online Mediation; Tips on Preparing for an Online Meeting.

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1. Have these handy; a pen, paper, a drink and tissues. 2. Have to hand any documents you have or will wish to share for mediation in case you need to refer to them. 3. Check the suitability of the space in which you will be sitting during the online mediation session and, in particular,… Read more »

Child Maintenance Arrears; Remedy Against Joint Accounts

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The government, in the name of the Department for Works and Pensions, has announced that from early 2018 it wants to take powers to enforce child maintenance arrears against joint accounts where the payer either does not have their own account or their own bank account doesn’t have enough money in it to pay the… Read more »

Divorce Finances: Birch and Birch : Supreme Court

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A few days ago the Supreme Court clarified a question concerning the court’s powers on divorce. Divorce courts only have the powers given to them by parliament so are not free to do anything outside that “toolbox” of powers. Often divorcing couples wish to agree matters outside the power of the court. For some time… Read more »

Justice Matters

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This is the title to a new video posted on YouTube by HM Courts and Tribunal Service promoting a promise of a huge investment to revolutionise how justice is administered through using digital services and an online court. For divorce a simple online system is promised. We are all used to government making promises and… Read more »

Fault Based Divorce or Not

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Since 1973 the only ground for divorce has been irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.This can only be proven in one of 5 ways: adultery, unreasonable behaviour and 2 years separation with the consent of the other party being the most commonly used. This immediately creates a hostile situation, as one party has to successfully raise… Read more »

Divorce Rate Declines

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Recent figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that the divorce rate has declined by 27% from 2003, to the 2014 figure of 111,169 divorces in England and Wales. Of these, the most was in the age group 44/49 for men and 40/44 for women. Nicola Haines, of the Office for National Statistics,… Read more »

Declining Popularity of Marriage

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According to the recent ONS report, the percentage of the population who are married or in a civil partnership continues to fall. In 2002 the figure was 54.8 % which compares to the latest figure of 50.6 % of the population aged 16 and over in 2015. In terms of numbers, the 50.6% represents 23.8… Read more »

State Pension Sharing on Divorce; Changes from 6 April 2016

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For anyone reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2016 you need to be aware that the rules on what pension sharing orders can be made in divorce, nullity and on dissolution and annulment of a civil partnership will change. For people reaching state pension age on or after 6 April 2016, there… Read more »