Written by: Callie Black and the Antony Clapp Team
Family Mediation Week 2025 runs from 27th -31st January this year, putting the focus on the mediation process for divorcing couples as a means of reaching agreement and avoiding a potentially hostile court-based procedure. It seemed a timely opportunity to speak to Callie Black, a Family Law Solicitor at Antony Clapp Solicitors, specialists in Family Law, about the new responsibilities she is taking on at Resolution, a community of family justice professionals who work with families and individuals to resolve issues in a constructive way.
Callie, in addition to your role at Antony Clapp Solicitors, you’ve recently been appointed as Treasurer for West Sussex Resolution. For those who may be unfamiliar with Resolution, can you outline what the organisation seeks to achieve and why this is important to families undergoing challenges such as a divorce?
CB: “Resolution is a national family law organisation which focuses on a constructive approach to resolving issues and considers the needs of everyone in the family, especially the children. The aim is to try and take the ‘fight’ out of family cases wherever possible, and instead to look towards options that work as best as possible for the whole family, whilst of course reflecting the legal principles, fairness, and children’s best interests. If a family is going through a challenge such as a divorce, then a Resolution approach can help everyone recognise that there is life after the divorce and relationships are likely to continue, even if in a different way (such as separated co-parenting); and so therefore finding a solution that will work for everyone can help make that transition as smooth as possible. Resolution also accepts memberships from non-lawyers, and so there is access to other professionals such as accountants, family therapists, pension specialists and parenting coordinators, all of whom also have signed up to the constructive and conciliatory approach of Resolution.”
What does your new role entail?
CB: “Essentially, I will be managing the money for the West Sussex branch of Resolution! I also will sit on the Committee. I will work to pay for services and collect payments with the approval of the Chair, in particular in respect of seminars and conferences that we organise. I will report to West Sussex Resolution and to Resolution nationally as to the accounts.”
Part of the objectives of Resolution is to set the agenda for topics surrounding future events and seminars for its members. Presumably, this is based on members’ feedback from working with clients experiencing divorce. Can you identify any trends that are emerging – perhaps as a result of the recent changes in the law – including the advent of online divorce, the rise and rise of cohabiting couples or even the current backlog in court services available to families?
CB: “Resolution had a great success in 2022 with the enaction of no-fault divorce, which had been a key point in their campaigning for many years. One of the areas that Resolution is focusing on at the moment is the rights of cohabiting couples, as this area of law has been static for many years and Resolution’s view is that it does not necessarily meet the needs of separating couples and can cause hardship to those leaving long relationships, often women in particular.
In terms of the court backlogs and delays, Resolution has long been encouraging of methods of non-court dispute resolution, such as mediation, arbitration, evaluation, and collaborative law. When they are suitable these methods can help our clients find a solution without having to step foot in a courtroom, and they are usually much quicker (and often overall less expensive) than having to issue a court application. Another benefit is that if more people use these alternatives, then the court backlogs should reduce and free up court time for those cases which need the intervention of a judge, such as those involving domestic abuse, risk to children, or dissipation of assets.”
Why should couples seeking legal representation, look for lawyers who are members of Resolution? What are the advantages and key benefits to clients?
CB: “A lawyer who is a member of Resolution has signed up to work within their code of practice. This means they will focus on you and your goals, and explain your options to you and allow you to make the decisions. They recognise that there are emotional costs as well as financial ones, and will work with others to try and find the best solution for you and your family as a whole. They will treat you as an individual, try to simplify language wherever possible and explain the key factors in play, and communicate with others in a civil and conciliatory way. However, they will also help you take urgent legal steps where necessary to protect yourself, your children or assets.”
Callie Black, James Heywood and Shanida Sewak are all active members of Resolution and can help clients decide if mediation or a non-court-based approach is the best solution in their circumstances.
If you’d like to arrange a fixed-fee consultation to discuss your options regarding divorce, children or financial matters, call Antony Clapp Solicitors on 01622 815 940 .