It was the first Family Mediators Association (“FMA”) conference since we had all be in lockdown owing to COVID. From the start it was great to see everyone in person after the past few years of online conferences and lectures. Whereas meeting colleagues online is convenient with less travel and the availability of a kettle merely an arm’s length away, to meet with friends, both old and new was a great pleasure.
The conference was opened by FMA President Lord Justice Moylan who gave an inspirational and thought-provoking speech before handing over to the FMA Board and selected panel members who created an effervescent environment for discussing the enhancements to Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (“MIAMs”). Colleagues such as Neil Robinson, Leah Caldwell and others kept the discussions going with their valued input and energy.
The annual John Cornwell Lecture was given by Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division. Sir Andrew continued the discussions on enhancing the MIAM structure and gave an informative lecture on how family mediation could help the backlog in family law cases and pressures on the family court. He also discussed the need for better “gate-keeping” at court and how cases that do not have evidence of MIAMs being conducted be flagged before the first hearing before a judge.
The second day saw Neal Barcoe, Head of Family Justice Policy at the Ministry of Justice speak to FMA members about what the Government’s initiatives are in promoting family mediation. Helen Anthony and Alan Blake, director of the Family Mediation Council, spoke enthusiastically about the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme and how the uptake has been extremely encouraging, with the initiative being extending well into 2023.
The 2022 FMA Conference was a great occasion with the excitement and spark that came from great colleagues and inspiring speakers. All those I spoke to were extremely excited about the future and thoroughly reinvigorated about the profession of family mediation.
See you all next year.
