Family Mediation Week 2026

To mark the start of Family Mediation Week 2026, Alexander Byrne, a Solicitor and Mediator at Wilson Solicitors, reflects on how mediation can help families navigate the end of relationships.

Alex is currently working towards Accreditation with the Family Mediation Council (FMC) and is a member of the Resolution Working Together Committee.

________________________________________

Around four million children in the UK live in separated families. It is a stressful experience for adults and children alike, and parental conflict is associated with poor long-term outcomes for many children. Family mediation is proven to help reduce this conflict:

• It is less stressful and far quicker than going to court.

• It helps people put their children's interests first.

• It enables people to keep more control of their family’s future.

• It is a process which works, with 69% of families avoiding court following mediation.

Despite this, it is frequently misunderstood as a "DIY" approach or something you do without legal protection. In reality, it is a structured, professional process where you stay in control of the outcome, rather than handing your future over to someone else. I have put together a short Q&A to demystify the process

________________________________________

Q&A

1. Why is mediation still underused, even though the court system is so stretched?

It often comes down to a common misconception. People worry that by choosing mediation, they are giving up their right to legal advice. Many are understandably nervous about navigating these conversations without a solicitor by their side, but it does not have to be one or the other.

As a family solicitor, I often work with clients to provide legal advice in the background while they move through the mediation process. This approach allows people to stay out of a court system that is currently under immense pressure. Instead, you can reach an agreement that is tailored to your specific family. Hybrid mediation is a possibility which allows both parties to have their solicitors present or on hand during the sessions.

Ultimately, it is about building a professional team around you to reach a resolution that works in the real world.

2. What does mediation look like in practice?

The process typically starts with a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting). This is a confidential, one-on-one session where we discuss your situation and explain how mediation could work for you before you ever sit down in a room with your ex-partner.

Once the process begins, it is a bespoke experience. We offer both in-person sessions and secure remote mediation via video call to ensure the process remains accessible and flexible. Mediation should feel safe, structured, and entirely neutral. We are very careful about creating a balanced environment where neither person feels at a disadvantage. It is also a process in which you can bring in the right experts at the most suitable times, whether to untangle complex issues or a child-inclusive mediator to ensure that children’s voices are heard.

It is also worth noting that for cases involving children, the Government currently offers a £500 voucher towards the cost of mediation, making it a very accessible alternative to traditional litigation.

3. How do mediators handle things when the conversation gets heated?

Usually, people get stuck because they are worried about what the future looks like. My job is to bring things back to the practicalities. We look at what the next few years need to look like for your finances or your children. If you focus on the practical reality rather than the emotion of the breakup, it is much easier to find common ground.

4. Is mediation suitable for everyone?

Mediation can be useful in the vast majority of cases, and many family disputes can be resolved through it successfully. The caveat with this is that both people must be able to participate safely and meaningfully.

We screen very carefully for issues like domestic abuse. For mediation to work, both individuals need to be able to speak up for themselves safely. If there is a massive power imbalance or a lack of trust that cannot be managed, we will be the first to say if another path is more appropriate. Our priority is always the wellbeing of the people involved.

5. Why do mediated agreements often last longer than court orders?

When a judge makes an order, someone usually feels like they have lost. That just leads to more friction later. With mediation, you have reached the agreement yourself, and you are far more likely to stick to a plan that you actually had a hand in creating. It is a more sustainable way to co-parent and manage finances in the long term.

________________________________________

Get in touch

If you would like to have an informal chat about whether mediation is the right fit for your situation, feel free to reach out to me or the team here at Wilson Solicitors at a.byrne@wilsonllp.co.uk.