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Family Mediation Week – helping separated families know which way to turn

18th January 2021 by Gemma Burden

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More than any other time of the year, January is a month when families decide to separate.

For most, this will be their first experience of separation, and they will start searching for help and advice about where to turn for help to resolve issues – who will the children live with? What will happen with money?

England’s third national lockdown doesn’t make it any less likely that people will be asking these questions. If anything, it simply adds to confusion, or uncertainty, about what services might be available. People may not be sure where to turn.

This is why Laceys Family Mediation is supporting Family Mediation Week.  It takes place from 18 to 22 January, and aims to provide answers, by sharing information about the mediation process. It will explain how Family Mediation Council registered mediators like ourselves can help families consider what is best for their future, and how mediation is available online to help them during the coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout Family Mediation Week, the Family Mediation Council will be sharing information about family mediation to help people understand more about how it works, when it might be suitable, the importance of involving older children in the process of deciding what happens to them, and how it can be funded.

Through an online mock mediation (we can’t show you a real session, as mediation is confidential), the Family Mediation Council will show you what really happens in a mediation session, give professionals working with families the opportunity to join a virtual coffee morning, so they can ask any questions they have about mediation and will be publishing articles and videos throughout the week.

To find out more visit familymediationweek.org.uk

You can also follow Family Mediation Week on Twitter @FamilyMedWeek

Gemma Burden

Partner — Mediation

Direct dial: 01202 377993

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Gemma Burden, head of Family Mediation, Laceys Solicitors
  • “As it was mediation for divorce I was worried just how complicated it would be but it was all handled well by Gemma who put my mind at ease and explained everything well. Thank you. ”

    John Littlefield

  • “Gemma was able to help us narrow the issues between us so we could focus on resolution. I feel she treated us both equally and professionally.”

    Maria Vine

  • “Gemma seemed to quickly understand our situation and acted accordingly and in what I felt with best interest.”

    Charlotte

  • “I was very happy with Gemma Burden. She was very clear and to the point. Gemma Burden was very good at staying neutral. This must be very hard sometimes. She is very professional and is very good at explaining all points in mediation. I would recommend Laceys Mediation to all. I would give Gemma Burden top marks in all aspects of mediation and she has my thanks.”

    Anonymous

  • “Having used Laceys before, it was an easy choice to use them again. Gemma was professional, polite and thorough. An absolute credit to the company.”

    A Wood

Gemma is the head of our mediation department and a Family Mediation Council Accredited lawyer mediator. Gemma qualified as a solicitor in 2000 and joined Laceys in 2001. She has specialised in family law since qualifying as a solicitor and has worked full time as a mediator since 2009.

Gemma is qualified in all areas of family mediation, including divorce and financial settlements, child arrangements and property disputes between cohabitees.  She is also qualified to see children as part of the mediation process.  Gemma is able to draw on her legal expertise when helping couples work out complex financial settlements and new parenting arrangements.

In her spare time Gemma likes to spend time with her family, especially her dog who never answers back.  Her chosen stress beaters are running, swimming and the beach.

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