Leeds law firm Clarion is hosting a programme of events during Family Mediation Week designed to assist both those going through the divorce process and professional advisers.
The events will raise awareness of the benefits of mediation for separating families and couples during Family Mediation Week, which is taking place from 16 to 20 January.
Clarion’s 12-strong team of specialist family lawyers actively promote the use of mediation and are supporting Family Mediation Week.
The aim of the dedicated week, organised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), is to encourage separating couples to consider mediation as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for them and their family.
Sarah Manning, senior associate solicitor and mediator at Clarion, is currently chair of the FMC’s Family Mediation Week committee, which is running a series of events.
Manning (pictured) commented: “At Clarion, we are committed to changing mindsets and encouraging clients to use mediation as a more amicable, cheaper and quicker alternative; we see court only as a last resort.
“Following the success of last year’s Family Mediation Week, the FMC is focused on raising awareness by providing a number of free seminars as well as professionals involved in advising separating families. For example, many separating parents are not aware that the Ministry of Justice is currently offering Family Mediation Vouchers of up to £500 to contribute to the costs of mediation which is not means assessed.
“We are excited to have some great speakers joining us for our week-long programme of events which is particularly relevant at this time of year when many relationships are under pressure.
“2023 also sees the launch of ‘The Mediation Pledge’ to actively encourage mediators to work collectively as a community to help raise awareness by committing to undertaking at least one thing during Family Mediation Week to encourage the use of mediation.”
Clarion is hosting a number of events throughout Family Mediation Week:
16 January 2023, 1pm to 2pm (for individuals—webinar-style format on Zoom)
Claire Macklin, divorce coach; Justine Osmotherley, solicitor; Sarah Manning, solicitor and mediator; and Lottie Kent, financial adviser, will discuss “Having a divorce team—is it only for the wealthy?” and how this could potentially save thousands. There will also be a Q&A.
Tuesday 17 January 2023, 11.30am to 12.30pm (for lawyers and mediators—webinar-style format on Zoom)
Claire Macklin, divorce coach, and Sarah Manning, solicitor and mediator, will discuss how divorce coaches can feed into mediation to make the process easier. There will also be a Q&A.
19 January 2023, 4pm to 5pm (for lawyers and mediators—webinar-style format on Zoom)
Chartered financial planner and Resolution-accredited divorce specialist Tamsin Caine, assisted by Sarah Manning, solicitor and mediator, and Stephanie Douthwaite, solicitor, will discuss ‘Pensions on Divorce Experts (PODEs)’. Following the Pensions Advisory Group report published in 2019, the importance of pensions in divorce was put under the spotlight and the new term, ‘PODE’, came into our vocabulary. However, there are still misunderstandings about the role of PODEs and Clarion will seek to address some of these for family mediators.
To register for any of the events, please contact Laura Courbet on 0113 336 3348 or via laura.courbet@clarionsolicitors.com.
Image source: Clarion
