Mediation service for parting couples

A NEW mediation service has been launched at Warrington to help separating and divorcing couples.
Government guidelines, introduced in April, urge couples to consider mediation before resorting to expensive court applications to resolve disputes over children and finances.
Audrey Venables (pictured), head of family law at Forshaws Davies Ridgway, is a specialist in family breakdown and is currently Warrington’s only trained mediator accredited by Resolution, the UK’s leading family law group.
She believes hundreds of Warrington couples could benefit from using this cheaper, non-confrontational method of resolving issues.
She explained: “A mediator lawyer is a specially trained family lawyer, who can help couples reach agreement in a civilised and co-operative environment. Sessions are structured and the mediator can give factual information and empower couples to reach their own decisions.
“This way, both the emotional and financial costs of divorce or family breakdown are minimised for everyone involved, which has got to be good news.”
Although the mediation process is not appropriate for all couples, Audrey hopes many more of Warrington’s families in crisis will take advantage of this constructive and cost-effective way to negotiate their futures.
For more information, contact Audrey Venables at Forshaws Davies Ridgway on 01925 230000 or email [email protected]