Family Mediation Council

The Family Mediation Council (FMC) has written to the new Secretary of State for Justice, setting out how family mediation can improve outcomes for separating families, reduce pressure on the family justice system, and save public money. In the letter, FMC Chair Stephen Burke says the recent Justice Select Committee report Access to Justice: Legal Aid provides […]

The Family Mediation Council (FMC) has urged the Government to act urgently after a Justice Select Committee report backed calls to increase legal aid rates for family mediators, which have remained frozen for 25 years. Access to Justice: Legal Aid was published on 17 July 2026. The report follows an inquiry by the Justice Select […]

Welcoming news from the Ministry of Justice that it has confirmed funding for the Family Mediation Voucher scheme will continue for the 2026-27 financial year, Helen Anthony, CEO of The Family Mediation Council (FMC), said: “The continuation of the successful family mediation voucher scheme is important, as it will ensure that many more families on […]

Commenting on the government decision to roll out a new family court model – Child Focused Courts – across the whole of England and Wales, Stephen Burke, Chair of The Family Mediation Council, said: “The data from the trial period of Child Focused Courts is impressive, with a halving of family court backlogs and cases […]

It is 10 months away, but plans for Family Mediation Week 2027 are already under way after participant numbers rose again this year, making the 2026 week the most successful yet. Over 4,300 people took part in a series of webinars, which ran during Family Mediation Week (26 – 30 January 2026). Organised by the […]

‘This Morning’ Agony Aunt, Deidre Sanders, will talk directly with separating and divorcing parents about the benefits of family mediation in a free online event open to members of the public this month. “Family mediation is usually cheaper and quicker than going to court when you make divorce or separation arrangements,” says Deidre Sanders. “I […]

Who lives where? How do we sort money? Who gets the dog?  Couples who have made the decision to separate are invited to find out how they can avoid a courtroom confrontation to settle money, property and parenting issues, as a series of free online events take place during Family Mediation Week, Monday 26 to […]

Family Mediation Week: Monday 26 to Friday 30 January 2026 Family law professionals are invited to take part in a series of free one-hour webinars during Family Mediation Week 2026, taking place from Monday 26 to Friday 30 January. The annual awareness week, organised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), showcases how family mediation can […]

There is a danger that low-income families may soon be unable to access legally aided family mediation, according to a landmark research report launched by The Family Mediation Council (FMC) at its London conference. Over 200 delegates and speakers attended an event marking the FMC’s ten-year anniversary, which saw the publication of its newly-commissioned document, […]

Family Justice Minister Sarah Sackman KC MP will deliver the keynote speech when the Family Mediation Council holds its 10-year anniversary conference in London this month. Over 200 delegates and speakers will attend the one-day event, at The Minster Building on Friday 26 September, marking a decade since the incorporation of the Family Mediation Council […]