Ahead of Family Mediation Week 2026 the Today’s Family Lawyer Podcast brings together three leading voices and contributors to the event to discuss the ambitions of the awareness campaign.
Hosted David Opie welcomes Romina Kamran, a fully accredited family mediator and founder of Arc Mediation and Digital MIAM, Paul Linsell, partner and head of the family law team at Boyes Turner and Sarah Manning, partner at Hall Brown Family Law and long‑standing chair of the Family Mediation Week committee to discuss the plans for National Mediation Week 2026 which runs from 26th-30th January 2026.
The trio explain the central aim of the week, which is run by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), is to ensure separating families are aware, at the earliest possible stage, that mediation is a viable, regulated and effective option for resolving disputes about children and finances, without defaulting immediately to court. The week is an opportunity to raise public awareness and build confidence in the mediation process.
Central to this is the FMC’s role in maintaining professional standards, overseeing the accreditation of mediators, setting a compulsory code of practice, and stipulating continuing professional development, supervision and appropriate safeguards such as professional indemnity insurance and complaints processes. For consumers and professionals alike, the FMC register provides reassurance that mediators have met stringent professional criteria.
Mediation, said Manning, is often misunderstood or overlooked, with many families assuming that instructing solicitors and proceeding towards litigation is the only available route. The week aims to highlight that mediation is not about conflict, nor is it about conciliation, a widely misunderstood misnomer. Rather mediation is abut about cooperation, communication and empowering families to make their own decisions safely and constructively.
This year's event sees an expanded programme offer events and training opportunities to both the public, and wider professionals. As Manning notes, many families first disclose relationship or parenting difficulties to teachers, GPs, counsellors or health visitors, well before approaching lawyers or mediators. By equipping those professionals with a basic understanding of mediation, the campaign seeks to improve early signposting and ensure families are aware of their options before positions harden and conflict escalates.
For those wanting to get involved, the Family Mediation Council has published a full programme of free webinars and in‑person events across England and Wales.
Webinar timetable:
https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/family-mediation-week-2026-timetable/
In‑person events:
https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/family-mediation-week-2026-local-events/
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