News - The Family Mediation Trust

Autume Budget 2024

The Autumn Budget 2024 brings CGT and welfare changes impacting family mediation, pressuring high-net-worth asset division and low-income financial stability.

Partnership: BBL and the Family Mediation Trust

The Family Mediation Trust teams up with BBL to bring Child Inclusive Mediation! Ensuring children's voices are heard in family mediation and placed at the center of decision-making.

The Childs Voice, The conference review

Discover key takeaways from a recent mediation conference focused on empowering the voices of children in family mediation. Learn about the commitments made by mediators to enhance Child-Inclusive Mediation practices and the steps needed to translate promises into action.

Compulsory mediation ruled out for separating couples

In response to recent government announcements on family justice, we offer a perspective focusing on mediation, child well-being, and socioeconomic considerations.

The Trust Partners with End Child Poverty to Tackle Child Poverty Issues

Family Mediation Trust partners with End Child Poverty to tackle child poverty issues, advocating for adequate support for families, working parents, financial assistance for families with disabled children, and local support in crisis situations.

Compulsory Mediation Consultation

The Family Mediation Trust supports the encouragement of mediation but has concerns about relying solely on vouchers for low-income individuals. Adequate legal aid provisions should cover mediation costs to reduce court waiting times.

£15 Million Investment in Mediation

The Ministry of Justice has proposed making mediation mandatory for low level family court cases in England and Wales, excluding those involving allegations or a history of domestic violence.

End of an era for Helen Casey

One of the Trusts longest service mediators, Helen Casey, retires at the end of December following over 30 years of pioneering work in family mediation.

Child Focused Grants

New grant funding for parents with children with Special Educational Needs and for Child Inclusive Mediation.

No Pay Review in 18 Years

The Trust, along with over 50 other providers of legal aid mediation, are very worried that if payment rates do not improve many of the remaining providers will stop delivering this vital work and those that are left will not be able to train future mediators.

2021/22 Accounts

The 2022 annual report shows that the Trust achieved an increase in positive outcomes, from mediation, of over 70%.

Parenting Coordination Norfolk Pilot

The Family Mediation Trust is pleased to announce the launch of a pilot Parenting Coordination project for families based in Norfolk.

The 2021 Annual Report

The Family Mediation Trust has achieved a positive year of growth in impact and financial resilience.

No-Fault Divorce: The act that is set to change divorces

A new law introducing ‘no-fault’ divorces is expected to come into effect in Autumn 2021. The Family Mediation Trust remains dedicated to helping separating couples resolve all issues arising from their separation in a non-collaborative way.

Should Mediation Be Compulsory?

On the 18th of October, the Trust held an open debate to explore if mediation should be made compulsory.

Our CEO joins the Family Mediation Standards Board

The Family Mediation Council (FMC) announce today (12/5/21) the appointment of the Trusts CEO, Michael Mack as a new lay members of the Family Mediation Standards Board (FMSB).

Living Wage

The Family Mediation Trust is proud to have signed up to the living wage foundation. As a charity it is important to the Trustees that staff have income security.

The Family Mediation Trust Welcomes the Government Voucher Scheme

The government has today announced that it is investing a further £800,000 in family mediation, to support families to resolve issues relating to children.

“What about me?” Reframing Support for Families following Parental Separation

This impressive report is the work of the Family Solutions Group (FSG), and gives a fresh and focused attention to improving the experiences of, and opportunities for, separating families away from the Family Court.

The birth of The Family Mediation Trust

Norfolk and Cambridge Family Mediation Services to merge as The Family Mediation Trust to create a stronger organisation, better able to reach and serve more families across the East of England.

Norfolk Family Mediation Service AGM and Annual Report

In our latest AGM we reflected on The Norfolk Family Mediation Services’ success from the year 2019 and assessed the agreement between the NFMS and CFMS to form The Family Mediation Trust.

Cambridge Family Mediation Service AGM and Annual Report

In our latest AGM we assessed the agreement between the NFMS and CFMS to form The Family Mediation Trust, in addition to reflecting on the success of the Cambridge Family Mediation Service from the year ending December 2019.

Coronavirus Crisis: Guidance on Compliance with Family Court

The following guidance has been given on 24th March 2020 by The Rt. Hon. Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division and Head of Family Justice. It is helpful for informal and Court Ordered arrangements for children;

Commitment to Legal Aid Mediation

Norfolk Family Mediations Service remains committed to the provision of legal aid funding for mediation across Norfolk.

Lansley Hough

On the 28th of June, the service said a final farewell to one of its hardest working mediators. Lansley passed away on the 30th May following a hard fought battle with cancer.

Annual Report

The 2017-18 Annual Accounts and Review

Supporting Those that Earn Less than the Living Wage

A third off the cost of mediation for those on less than the minimum wage.

Community Fund Success

The Norfolk Family Mediation service is pleased to announce that it has been awarded over £9,000 of Lottery funding.

Extended Opening Times

Norfolk Family Mediation Service is now offering evening appointments in our Norwich Office.

Great Yarmouth Mediation

Norfolk Family Mediation launches a new mediation service in Great Yarmouth

Royal Support

We received a letter this month that started with “Her Majesty The Queen has asked me to send you...”

Less than 5 days

From referral or first phone call to the MIAM taking place we have managed to reduce the time to less than 5 days.

New CEO

Michael Mack took on the role as the new CEO for the Norfolk Family Mediation Service on the 1st January.

Debbie Wahle

Debbie Wahle has secured full accreditation from the Family Mediation Council.