I am delighted to have been asked to write this preface to the newly updated and reworked website of the Family Mediators Association. I have been President of the Association since 1998 and I am convinced that a mediated resolution of family issues is in principle preferable to that which we impose in court and is capable of being achieved more often than most people yet realize.

Over the last year Board members of the Family Mediators Association have worked hard to produce this website and I believe that it will be a valuable source of information for mediators and in particular, for the public.

This is a particularly exciting time for mediation in general and for family mediation in particular. Family mediation in England and Wales became mainstream about 1997 when public funding from Legal Services Commission became available. Over the intervening years the services offered by family mediators have grown and adapted to meet the needs of people who are separating, whether they are married, civil partners, or unmarried couples and sometimes of other sorts of family members who find themselves in disagreement over, for example, the future of a child or aged relative.

Mediation provided by outside mediators, such as members of this association, is now also taking place successfully in many courts around the country. So the issue of proceedings does not close the door on the accessibility of mediation. Nevertheless it is often regarded as a confrontational step, which draws up battle-lines and can therefore put back the chance of constructive dialogue. It seems that partly for this reason, there are likely to be changes to the Family Proceedings Rules so that it will become obligatory for all parties considering the issue of proceedings in the family disputed to attend an “Intake” information session with a mediator before proceeding. Suitable cases can then be diverted to mediation for alternative resolution.

I want this website to help to change the culture. When we face serious family problems, we still usually say to ourselves “I must find a solicitor”. But in many ways (though not all) cases, we would do better to say “We must find a mediator”. I know that many members of the public who visit this website will do so in a state of misery and apprehension. They will come through it of course. But I do hope that they will explore whether mediation can help.

Please let the Association know if you feel that the website can further be improved on the following: info@thefma.co.uk.

Lord Justice Wilson
Lord Justice of Appeal in the High Court, Family Division, and President of the FMA