(Almost) Anything But Family Court

Many would say there are three main types of alternative family dispute resolution: mediation, arbitration and collaborative law. This book actually counts a dozen, including three varieties of mediation.

A groundbreaking work encouraging couples to avoid family court, this book outlines the people and processes that can resolve family law matters, whether in relation to children or finances, to avoid going to court.

Commended by Family Division president Sir Andrew McFarlane, the book lent itself to the subtitle of his October 2022 address, ‘When families fall apart, do they fall too easily into court?’. He said: ‘To end up “fighting” a case in the Family Court is a sign of failure and, as this book describes, often a cause for true loss in terms of emotional and mental wellbeing, and money. Conversely, those who are able to have a “good” divorce or separation, where they can each feel that a fair outcome has been achieved without undue acrimony, will have gained something of long-term value for themselves and their children. This is a detailed roadmap towards that positive goal.’

This is a book that every family law client should read. Moreover, a copy should be placed in the reception area of every family law practice in England and Wales, paid for by the government.

The OnlyMums website describes it as the best £20 you will ever spend. In fact it works out as half the price, because when you order your book you will receive two copies – one of them is for you to send to your ex-partner. Neat. It adds: ‘We do understand that you might not want to be sending them gifts at this point in time. However, it is our belief that if you and your ex are reading from the “same page” you will both be better informed as to the options for separating that avoid the family courts where possible.’

With this book, Jo O’Sullivan has filled a considerable void. She should be commended for the good that this work has the capacity to do.

Tony Roe MCIArb is a family law solicitor and arbitrator at Dexter Montague, Reading