Partner, Solicitor & Mediator
Nelsons Solicitors
This Family Mediation Week (27th Jan – 31 Jan), partner and specialist family lawyer Gayle Rowley is discussing why mediation has become such a popular choice and the benefits it can bring to separating couples.
Although mediation has been around for years, with celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Britney Spears, Jude Law, and Adele all having opted for mediation to resolve their marital disputes, in recent years there has been a rise in using this option to preserve relationships between couples and their wider families.
Gayle, who last year received a full accreditation with the Family Mediation Council, recognising her specific training and commitment to this area of non-Court dispute resolution (NCDR), said: “Every January marks the renewal of discussion around divorce day, with headlines citing ‘the surge in marriage breakdowns’ or ‘the top reason for splitting up’. Headlines like these don’t always tell the whole story, and it’s important to focus on how divorce and separation can be handled in a more positive way.
“Mediation offers divorcing couples a chance for a win-win resolution that involves spending less time and money – allowing them to feel truly empowered in their decisions.
“We have seen an influx of mediation enquiries recently and mediation has certainly become more popular and a way to avoid costly and stressful court proceedings in the right circumstances.”
Family Mediation Week aims to raise awareness of the benefits of mediation and encourage separating couples to think of mediation as a way of helping them to take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for their family.
Mediation allows more open and honest discussions, as proposals put forward during sessions cannot be revealed in Court.
For many, mediation is often recommended when children are involved, to ensure couples are prioritising the wellbeing of their children during this time.
Gayle added: “Mediation is better for children. The process can be significantly less traumatic than for couples who end up in court as it promotes better communication and reduces conflict, while prioritising what is best for the whole family. It also helps avoid larger legal bills, which will be vitally important for most families.
“Courts are still exceptionally busy. Clients can expect a divorce and financial proceedings to take anything from six months to 18 months or more, whereas mediation can help to bring a resolution in as little as a few months.
“Perhaps most importantly, mediation puts the control into the clients’ hands. Going down the litigation route eventually leads to a decision from a judge, meaning one or in fact both parties may end up with an outcome that they do not want, having spent a considerable amount in legal fees.”
About Gayle Rowley
Gayle is a Partner, Solicitor and FMC Accredited Mediator at Nelsons Solicitors. She qualified as a Solicitor in 1997 and worked in our team from 2001 to 2013, and then re-joined the team in December 2020, following our acquisition of Glynis Wright & Co.
Gayle specialises in family law, advising and mediating divorce and separation cases, often involving complex financial settlements. Gayle also advises and mediates in relation to private children law matters, including the resolution of children arrangements, parental responsibility and specific issue orders, and prohibited steps orders