Leeds law firm Clarion is holding a programme of events for professional advisers working with separating families as part of Family Mediation Week (17-21 January 2022).

Organised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), the week aims to raise awareness of the benefits of family mediation and encourage separating couples to think about it as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for them and their family.

With an 8-strong team of specialist family lawyers, Clarion plays an active role in promoting the use of mediation. Senior Associate solicitor and mediator at Clarion, Sarah Manning, is currently chair of the FMC Family Mediation Week committee organising a series event which can be found on the FMC’s website. This is the first year that the FMC have organised a series of free seminars targeting to promote Family Mediation Week to professionals working with separated families and the public.

Clarion are hosting a number of events throughout the week:

  • Tuesday 18th January 2022 – 11am to 11.45am (for professionals working with separating families)
    Emma Heptonstall, a divorce coach from The Divorce Alchemist and Sarah Manning, Solicitor and Mediator from Clarion will be discussing the use of a divorce coach throughout the mediation process to assist parties to be ‘mediation ready’.
  • Wednesday 19th January 2022 – 10am to 11am (for those working with separated families or going through their own separation)
    Sue Atkins, ITV ‘This Morning’, BBC Radio and Disney Jnr UK’s Parenting Expert is guest speaker with Sarah Manning of Clarion; they will discuss the effect of conflicting parents on children and how mediation can assist families going through separation.
  • Friday 21st January 2022 – 1.30pm to 2.15pm (for lawyers and mediators)
    Tamsin Caine, a chartered financial planner from Smart Divorce, Sarah Manning, Solicitor and Mediator and Justine Osmotherley, Head of Family and Solicitor from Clarion will be discussing the use of a financial neutral within the mediation process to assist parties to reach a financial settlement.
  • Friday 21st January 2022 – 4pm to 6pm Drinks reception
    To encourage collaboration with professionals in the local area. (Held at Clarion’s offices at Elizabeth House, 13-19 Queen Street, Leeds LS1 2TW.) Please note this event is by invitation only.

To register for any of the events, please visit contact Laura Courbet on 0113 336 3348 or at laura.courbet@clarionsolicitors.com .

Family Mediation Week focuses on working collectively to help raise awareness of family mediation among members of the public, solicitors and other professionals working with separated families. The week allows the FMC to create and promote family mediation-specific information.