Our articles are written by experts in their field and include barristers, solicitors, judges, mediators, academics and professionals from a range of related disciplines. Family Law provides a platform for debate for all the important topics, from divorce and care proceedings to transparency and access to justice. If you would like to contribute please email emma.reitano@lexisnexis.co.uk.
Spotlight
A day in the life Of...
Read on

Child-inclusive dispute resolution: time for change (£)

Date:21 JUL 2015
Third slide
Janet Walker OBE  Emeritus Professor of Family Policy Institute of Health and Society Newcastle University
Angela Lake-Carroll  Independent Consultant Mediator and Trainer


In July 2014 the Minister for Justice and Civil Liberties made a commitment to give children and young people a greater voice in family proceedings in England and Wales. He appointed the Voice of the Child Dispute Advisory Group to consider the steps necessary to implement this commitment in out of court dispute resolution processes including mediation. In March 2015 the Advisory Group put forward a package of 34 recommendations to support the development of child-inclusive practice. These include a non-legal presumption that all children aged ten and over should always be offered the chance to talk to the professionals involved in helping their parents reach agreement.

Child-inclusive practice requires radical culture change amongst dispute resolution practitioners new practice standards and high-level competencies. Simply tweaking existing practice or...

Read the full article here.