Next week (26th – 30th January) is Family Mediation Week in the UK. With the courts under pressure and new rules encouraging "Non-Court Dispute Resolution" (NCDR), we explain what this means for you and highlight the free events you can attend online.
Introduction
If you are currently navigating a separation or divorce, you might feel like you are standing at the edge of a maze. The path ahead seems complicated, expensive, and stressful.
You may assume that the only way to resolve issues about your children or your finances is to "go to court."
However, the landscape of family law in England and Wales has shifted dramatically. The courts, the government, and legal professionals are all sending a unified message: Court should be the last resort, not the first step.
Next week, from Monday 26th January to Friday 30th January 2026, the Family Mediation Council (FMC) is hosting Family Mediation Week. It is a campaign designed to raise awareness of the better, kinder, and more cost-effective ways to separate.
At D&A Solicitors, we are huge advocates of these methods. We know that for most families, staying out of the courtroom leads to better outcomes, less conflict, and a healthier future.
In this blog, we want to explain exactly what is happening next week, break down the legal jargon you might be hearing (like "NCDR"), and share the links to some fantastic free webinars that could answer many of your questions.
What is "NCDR"? (And Why You Need to Know)
If you have spoken to a lawyer recently, or looked at the court forms, you might have seen the term "Non-Court Dispute Resolution" or NCDR.
It sounds technical, but it is actually very simple. NCDR is a collective term for any method of resolving your family issues without asking a judge to make a decision for you.
Why does this matter? In the past, these options were seen as "alternatives"—nice to have, but optional. Today, they are essential.
New court rules mean that before you can even apply to a court for a decision on finances or children (unless you have a valid exemption, such as domestic abuse), you are expected to have tried NCDR. If you rush to court without trying to resolve things peacefully first, a judge may be critical of that decision and can even order you to pay your ex-partner's legal costs.
The Family Mediation Council highlights several main types of NCDR. Here is a straightforward breakdown of what they are:
1. Mediation
This is the most common form of NCDR. A neutral third party (the mediator) helps you and your ex-partner talk. They don't take sides or make decisions for you. Instead, they facilitate a conversation to help you reach your own agreement. It is flexible, private, and usually much cheaper than using solicitors to fight it out.
2. Hybrid or Integrated Mediation
This is a "powered up" version of mediation. In these sessions, your solicitors can join you in the room (or on the Zoom call). This is fantastic for complex financial cases because you get legal advice during the negotiation, meaning you can settle things faster and with more confidence. The mediator can also hold confidential "separate" conversations with each side to bridge gaps.
3. Arbitration
Think of this as "hiring a private judge." If you cannot agree, but don't want to wait 12 months for a court date, you can pay a qualified arbitrator to make a binding decision for you. It is quicker, confidential, and you get to choose the dates, avoiding the delays of the public court system.
4. Collaborative Law
In this process, you and your ex both hire specially trained "collaborative" lawyers. You all sign a contract promising not to go to court. You then work together in four-way meetings to find a solution. If the process breaks down, you have to find new lawyers—which gives everyone a strong incentive to make it work!
Family Mediation Week 2026: The Timetable
Next week is your chance to learn about these options for free, from the comfort of your own home.
The Family Mediation Council has organised a series of webinars specifically for the public. These are not dry legal lectures; they are practical sessions designed to help you handle the emotional and logistical reality of separation.
Here are the key events for the public that we recommend you register for:
Monday 26th January – 1pm
Topic: Family Separation with Deidre Sanders
What is it? A Q&A with the legendary This Morning Agony Aunt, Deidre Sanders. She will be discussing the human side of separation and how mediation can help navigate the heartbreak.
Tuesday 27th January – 1pm
Topic: Practical Tips to Manage Turbulent Emotions
What is it? Divorce is an emotional rollercoaster. This webinar focuses on understanding and managing the anger, grief, and fear that often derail negotiations.
Wednesday 28th January – 1pm
Topic: A Beginner’s Guide to Mediation: Part 1 (Children)
What is it? If you are worried about parenting plans, contact arrangements, or how to tell the kids, this is for you. It aims to "debunk the myths" surrounding mediation and show how it keeps things amicable for the children's sake.
Thursday 29th January – 1pm
Topic: 3 Must-Read Books for Parents Navigating Separation
What is it? Interviews with authors Marcie Shaoul, Sarah Smith, and Dr. Angharad Rudkin. They have written books designed to help parents deal with separation and post-separation co-parenting.
Friday 30th January – 1pm
Topic: A Beginner’s Guide to Mediation: Part 2 (Finance)
What is it? Money is often the biggest cause of conflict. This session explores how mediation can help you sort out the house, the pension, and the debts cost-effectively, without the drama.
(All webinars are free to watch. You can find the full timetable and registration links on the Family Mediation Council website below).
Why D&A Solicitors Supports NCDR
You might wonder why a firm of solicitors is encouraging you not to go to court.
The answer is simple: We want what is best for your family.
While we are litigators who will robustly defend your interests in court if necessary, we know that the court process is often too slow, too blunt, and too expensive for the delicate issues of family life.
Cost: Mediation and NCDR are almost always cheaper than a contested court hearing.
Speed: You can resolve matters in months, not years.
Control: In court, a judge decides. In NCDR, you decide.
At D&A Solicitors, we can support you through any of these NCDR processes. We can act as your legal advisors in the background while you mediate, or we can represent you in "Hybrid Mediation" or "Collaborative Law" settings.
Useful Links
If you want to read more about the topics discussed in this blog, here are the official resources from the Family Mediation Council:
Family Mediation Week 2026 Timetable & Registration:
https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/family-mediation-week-2026-timetable/ Guide to Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR):
https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/non-court-dispute-resolution/
Final Thoughts
Separation is never easy, but it doesn't have to be a battle. This Family Mediation Week, take the time to inform yourself about the alternatives. The tools to build a better future are available—you just need to know where to look.
If you are unsure which option is right for you, or if you need legal advice to support you through mediation, please contact the team at D&A Solicitors today. We are here to help you find the right path.
Call us on 0121 523 3601 or complete the Contact Form at the top of the page.
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