Family Mediation Jersey

Disputes between families are never easy, particularly during a period of separation or divorce. Reaching a settlement via the courts is time-consuming, costly and stressful for all involved. This is where mediation can provide a helpful alternative.

Family Mediation Jersey (FMJ) is a charity which offers mediation on a low-cost, impartial and voluntary basis. It was set up as a charity with a grant from the Judicial Greffe. The aim was to provide a more inclusive, less adversarial, and more affordable route to resolving family disputes. To make it accessible to all, service users are means tested with those on the lowest income able to access the service free of charge. Over the last decade, FMJ has grown into the Island’s only dedicated family mediation charity, offering a confidential, impartial and voluntary service that empowers families to make their own decisions and avoid the stress and cost of legal proceedings.

FMJ supports families through a range of situations, including disputes over finances, property, parenting plans, residence and contact issues, or a combination of all three. One of its standout offerings is child-inclusive mediation. Children aged ten and over can participate in sessions without their parents present, giving them a voice in a process that directly affects them. Mediators at FMJ are highly trained and experienced, with backgrounds which include judges, lawyers, and safeguarding leads. They are specifically qualified in family mediation and child-inclusive practices, bringing a deep understanding of the challenges families face and the tools to help them navigate complex emotional situations.

FMJ Mediators can also enable families to mediate disputes in other situations. They are also trained in intergenerational mediation which can help in a range of issues, including disputes between adult children and parents which can be of a financial nature, or sibling disputes about care of elderly relatives. Teenage children can experience difficulties in their relationship with one of their parents if a step-parent is introduced. This can be a vital service to ensure that the parent/child relationship is not permanently fractured.

In 2024, Lloyds Bank Foundation awarded FMJ with £18,500 to cover the charity’s rent costs. “With rising expenses and pressure to keep services affordable, the grant from Lloyds Bank Foundation has been a lifeline,” says Elaine Feltham, manager at Family Mediation Jersey.

“Knowing the rent is covered enables us to redirect other funds towards strengthening our internal infrastructure, investing in staff training, and planning for sustainable growth. It also reduces the strain of trying to make savings without impacting frontline services.’

The impact of this support has been significant. At a time when the cost-of-living crisis has made it harder for families to afford separation, FMJ has continued to offer a vital, cost-effective alternative to court. The grant has ensured the charity can stay focused on its mission: helping families resolve conflict in a way that is fair, respectful, and centred on the people involved.

“FMJ is special because we are cost-effective, totally impartial, voluntary and we empower individuals to make their own decisions outside of the courts. We are totally non-judgemental and are there only to facilitate the conversation. By coming to FMJ, families have greater control and mediation leads to solutions which meets everyone’s needs.”