This event explored the increasing emphasis on Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) in family law and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable clients. The session focused on how to use NCDR safely and ethically in practice.

Safeguarding in Non-Court Dispute Resolution

While NCDR methods offer many benefits, they may not be suitable where there are concerns about domestic abuse, coercive control, or significant power imbalances. Robust risk assessments are needed in order to determine whether a case is appropriate for NCDR. This includes identifying signs of abuse and ensuring a client is not being pressured into an unfair settlement. The role of any practitioner is to protect the client’s interests and ensure their safety, advising them when NCDR is appropriate and when court intervention may be necessary.

Meet our speakers

Denise Ingamells – Denise is a highly experienced Family Mediation Council Accredited Mediator. She has been a Family Mediator for over 20 years and prior to that, had a background in finance and then trained to become a relationship counsellor for Relate. She is highly regarded for her work on separated parenting. She received the prestigious John Cornwell Award for Resolution in 2022 and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioner of the Year award for Jordans’ Family Law in 2012.

David Emmerson –  David is a qualified hybrid-trained mediator and collaborative practitioner as well as a part time district judge with a specialisation in financial remedy and children proceedings.

This event was part of our pod series for mediators.