Split over a clean separation

Break UpChannel 4, Wednesdays, 9pmSue Allen

Channel 4 this week started a new series looking at marriage break-up, charting the experiences of four couples who have chosen to deal with the process through family mediation.

The first installment follows Bristol couple Jane and Graham, who have been married for nine years and have three children.

The documentary follows the couple from just a few weeks after they split.

During the year, the couple make four visits to the Bristol family mediation centre.

The process does not try to reunite couples but helps them to find a way to reach an agreements on how to end their relationships with 'the least conflict and cost'.

Divorce usually takes 18 months and costs each person about 4,000, we are told.

The couple's first mediation meeting deals with the children.

Their second meeting aims to deal with finances.

Graham, however, has failed to fill in the financial forms.

Three months later Graham has bought a 76,000 home and, on the figures he has produced, the couple now have outgoings of 3,400 a month and an income of 1,600.

By the third meeting Jane's feelings of frustration, anger and resignation are clear and she has disengaged from the process.

After the meeting, she describes it as a 'joke', adding that Graham's figures 'didn't all up at all'.

The couple are told they must now take the mediated agreement to solicitors.

It has already taken them seven months to reach any agreement, rather than the usual three, because of Graham's difficulty in making appointments.

By the end of the programme Jane has not succeeded in her goal of getting the family home signed over to her, Graham is disputing Child Support Agency payments and legal proceedings have been started.

What is lacking in the first programme is any information or objective commentary.

While it may be interesting to watch other people's lives fall apart, there is no guidance on how the couple could have otherwise dealt with their break-up.

Neither party seems particularly happy with whatever agreement has been reached and it is clear that they both needed more information and guidance.

Jane's frustration during the process will undoubtedly leave lawyers boiling.