Latest News

Coronation Street Monday 16thJuly.  I watched it on catch up – excited to hear that, finally, mediation is being featured in a mainstream soap, giving a wider audience the opportunity to see its real value. Cup of tea and biscuit in hand, I sat down to watch ITVs most popular soap – but was immediately disappointed, as the station’s announcer told us that Johnny and Eva were going to … [Read more...]

The number of cases where separated parents who live a long distance away from each other and are having to manage relationships with their children is increasing. Separated couples end up living far apart for a variety of reasons. Work changes often result in one parent having to relocate and the other parent staying where their children are already settled and/or at school.  Sometimes, … [Read more...]

It could be illegal to take your child on holiday abroad The school summer break is almost upon us and you’ve probably already planned your holidays, but - did you know that, without permission from all people who have parental responsibility for your child, it is illegal to take that child out of England and Wales – unless you have been granted permission from the Family Court? Have you got a … [Read more...]

A judge has given Brad Pitt unrestricted telephone access to his kids.  Does this assume that they have not been able to speak when they, or he, have wanted to in the past? Juliette Dalrymple says: “This reflects the concerns shared with us by parents not being able to contact their children when they wish to, and vice versa.  We are often asked how, if telephone access is unrestricted, do you … [Read more...]

Family Matters is finding that an increasing number of people are returning to mediation after a period of time. Usually, this is to review a previous agreement and improve their communication, or where they previously attended mediation when emotions were running high and they have now calmed. Most recently, Lee and Angela came back to Family Matters after a previous mediation had broken down. … [Read more...]