Brexit. It puts me in mind of that well known 80’s hit by The Clash – “should I stay or should I go now ” and listening to the politicians slogging it out on the radio perhaps there’s a clue in the band’s name.
But whatever we may feel about separating from the EU or not, we need to inform our decision making with appropriate and balanced information, away from the hyperbole and rhetoric of the politicians and away from headline news.
Separating couples need this too.
For years and years the perceived wisdom has been to instruct a solicitor at the first sign of separation, to get someone acting for you, someone on your side, as quickly as possible and while there can be merit in this, it is not the only option.
So what are the options for separating couples? Especially when we know that 84 Courts are closing, legal aid has long since been abolished (for all but a few family cases) and couples have not stopped separating and divorcing. Well there are a number of options and mediation is one of them.
Either a series of mediation sessions held over a period of months, or a day set aside to work through the financial issues. Mediation allows you to fix a date and time convenient to you both in a location you can both reach. It allows confidentiality and control of the issues that you and your partner need to talk through. If you are eligible for legal aid mediation is free for you and if you have to pay, you will have more money left over after mediation than if you’d gone to court, perhaps even enough to afford that holiday on the continent – visa or no.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for women, equalities and family justice has highlighted the need to inform people of the choices beyond court, her stated aim to, “develop a private law system that truly places the user at its heart”. Mediation is one of those choices offering a quick and cost effective way of resolving family disputes.
Perhaps she should be writing this blog? Or contacting Boris’ PR team to spread the word.
