Family dispute resolution in the North
A better way to resolve family matters than court.
We are a group of family lawyers, mediators and arbitrators committed to a civilised, collaborative and co-operative way of settling disputes, with a firm route to finality if agreement is not reached by the parties.
About Northern Resolve
Northern Resolve is a joined-up dispute resolution initiative designed to give families the best chance of settlement, whilst keeping a firm route to finality if agreement is not reached.
The initiative brings family mediation and family arbitration together in a structured, collaborative and practical way. In practice, it means using mediation and arbitration as complementary parts of one process rather than as separate or competing options.
Our goal is to help families through challenging times without the stress, cost and adversarial nature often associated with court proceedings.
We are based in Leeds and Harrogate and work with families across the North of England, from Newcastle to Chesterfield and from Hull to Manchester, in person or online. If you are separating and want a way through that keeps you in control but does not leave matters open-ended, read on, or get in touch with any of us.
How the blended process works
Mediation
Families work with a trained family mediator to reach their own agreement on finances or arrangements for children, at their own pace and in private.
Arbitration
A discrete issue, or all issues, can be referred to a family arbitrator for a binding decision, so progress in mediation is never lost and there is always a way to finish.
Mediation
Facilitated, confidential discussion led by the family mediator, supported by their lawyers where that helps.
Arbitration
A private, binding decision from an experienced family arbitrator, on finances or children, in weeks rather than months.
Collaborative practice
Both parties and their collaboratively trained lawyers commit to resolving matters around a table, not in a courtroom.
What happens, step by step
For legal professionals and families thinking about Northern Resolve, this is how the process works. It is not a straight line: mediation does the work, and the arbitrator stands ready to clear the way whenever it is needed. Everything can happen in person anywhere across the North, from Newcastle to Chesterfield and Hull to Manchester, or online.
Getting started
You each meet a mediator first, to hear how Northern Resolve works alongside the other ways of settling matters out of court, and to check mediation is suitable and safe for you both. Then you meet together. Your lawyers, if you have them, and the arbitrator can join that first joint meeting to explain their roles.
Together you agree what the arbitrator may be asked to decide if needed, whether finances, arrangements for children, or both, and record it on the arbitration form: ARB1FS for finances, ARB1CS for children.
Appointed early, waiting in the wings
Before you commit to anything, the arbitrator meets you both for a pre-commitment meeting: a chance to ask questions, understand what they can and cannot decide, and be sure the process is right for you.
Once the form is signed it goes to the arbitrator, who adjourns the arbitration so that mediation can run. Nothing is decided for you unless you ask. Knowing that a decision-maker is already in place keeps the mediation moving.
Mediation
Joint meetings with the mediator: agreeing a schedule of assets in finance cases, exploring options and testing proposals. Financial advisers, pension experts, independent social workers or divorce coaches can be brought in where they help.
If a sticking point arises
Rather than mediation stalling, the point goes to the arbitrator for a binding direction or decision: on a timetable, on disclosure, on whether an expert is needed, on a disputed fact. Then mediation carries on from where it left off.
Everything is settled in mediation and written up, usually as a consent order. The arbitrator is never needed.
What you have agreed is recorded openly and sent to the arbitrator, who decides only the points that remain.
The arbitrator holds a hearing and makes a binding decision: an award in finance cases, a determination in children cases. There is always an end point.
Private FDR
A financial dispute resolution appointment held privately rather than at court. An experienced evaluator hears both sides and gives a clear, without-prejudice view of the likely outcome, which usually unlocks settlement. It can be used within the Northern Resolve process or on its own.
Early neutral evaluation
An independent, confidential opinion on your case, or on a single issue within it, from an experienced practitioner. It is not binding, but it gives both of you a realistic benchmark for mediation.
Why combine them?
Mediation gives you control over the outcome. Arbitration gives you certainty that there will be one. Used together, nobody can run out the clock, and the time and money you invest in mediation is never wasted.
The Northern Resolve process
From the first mediation information meeting to a binding outcome, with the arbitrator on hand whenever a sticking point arises.
Northern Resolve in conversation
A short video series in which the founders explain the model and how it works in practice.
Introducing Northern Resolve
A new service bringing mediation and arbitration together seamlessly, for a bespoke experience for couples facing family law issues.
An overview of Northern Resolve
Richard Buckley and Antony Ball explain how Northern Resolve can help couples find a better way to resolve the issues that arise on separation.
What role do solicitors play?
Stephanie Douthwaite and Sarah Scullion explore the Northern Resolve model from a solicitor's perspective.
Child arbitration
Laura Clapton, Jane Ingleby and Julia Nelson focus on child arbitration, its scope and how it integrates with mediation in private law children cases.
What does it cost?
Each professional charges their own fees, agreed with you in writing before any work starts, so there are no surprises. Mediation is usually charged by the session and shared between you. The arbitrator's fee depends on what you ask them to decide: a paper decision on a single point costs far less than a full hearing. Private FDRs and early neutral evaluations are normally a fixed fee for the day, shared between you.
Because you choose how much of the process you use, the overall cost is in your hands. Many families resolve everything in mediation and never need the arbitrator at all; those who do pay for a decision on the points that remain, not for a contested court case from start to finish.
For a quote, contact any member below. We will tell you what is included and what, if anything, might cost extra, such as an expert report.
Questions families ask
Is the arbitrator's decision binding?
Yes. By signing the arbitration form (ARB1FS for finances, ARB1CS for children) you both agree to be bound by it. In finance cases the award is turned into a court order by consent; in children cases the determination is treated by the court in the same way. The court will rarely interfere with it.
Can we appeal?
Only on very limited grounds, broadly the same as an appeal from a judge. Obvious slips, such as a wrong figure, can be corrected by the arbitrator.
How long does it take?
Far less time than court. The timetable is set around you rather than a court list, and because the arbitrator can deal with sticking points as they arise, mediation rarely stalls. Many families finish within a few months.
Do we need solicitors?
No, but many people find it helpful to have advice alongside mediation, and a solicitor is needed to draw up a consent order at the end. Several of our members are solicitors and can act for one of you if you wish.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Mediation is privileged and arbitration is private. Nothing happens in a public courtroom and nothing is reported.
Can arrangements for children be dealt with this way?
Yes. Several of our arbitrators are qualified under the IFLA children scheme and can decide where children live, how they spend time with each parent, schooling, holidays and similar questions. Safeguarding is checked at the outset and some cases are not suitable.
What if my former partner will not engage?
Both of you have to agree to the process. If one of you will not, we will tell you plainly and point you to the alternatives, including the court.
Where do meetings happen?
In person across the North of England, at our members' offices in Leeds and Harrogate or at venues nearer to you, anywhere from Newcastle to Chesterfield and Hull to Manchester, or online. Most families use a mixture.
Can we use Northern Resolve if proceedings have already started?
Usually, yes. The court actively encourages non-court dispute resolution and will normally pause proceedings while you try it.
For the judiciary
A fresh route for cases that are largely agreed but stuck on a point.
Most lists contain cases where the parties agree on most things and are stuck on one or two. For those families, the court process can be a blunt instrument: the delay before the next hearing, the cost of preparing for it and the stress of a courtroom are out of proportion to what divides them, and a contested hearing often hardens positions that a different setting would have softened.
Northern Resolve offers a different route. A mediator helps the parties settle what can be settled, and an arbitrator, appointed from the outset, decides the point that cannot be, quickly and on a scale that matches the dispute. The outcome returns to the court as a consent order or an award to be made into one, and in children cases as a determination. Where a hearing proves necessary, the arbitrator can hold one in weeks rather than months.
We would encourage judges, at any stage of proceedings, to raise the model with the parties and their representatives where it looks suitable: at a first appointment, at an FDR that has narrowed the issues, or at a dispute resolution appointment in a children case. The court's power to adjourn for non-court dispute resolution under Part 3 of the Family Procedure Rules, and its expectation that parties engage with it, sit comfortably alongside the Northern Resolve approach.
Any of our members would be glad to speak to a bench or a local family justice board about how the model works, or to supply the flowchart and member profiles for court users.
Resources
Independent guidance from the bodies that run family mediation and arbitration in England and Wales. All links open in a new tab.
Family arbitration
From the Institute of Family Law Arbitrators (IFLA), which runs the financial and children schemes.
- What is arbitration?A plain introduction for families.
- IFLA frequently asked questionsBinding effect, appeals, costs and more.
- Introductory guide for the public (PDF)A short booklet to read before your first meeting.
- Financial Scheme rules (PDF)The rules under which financial arbitrations run.
- Children Scheme rules (PDF)The rules for arbitrations about children.
- Form ARB1FS (PDF)The application form for a financial arbitration.
- Form ARB1CS (PDF)The application form for a children arbitration.
- Guide for practitioners, judges and referrers (PDF)How arbitration fits with the court process.
- IFLA guide for mediators (PDF)Using arbitration alongside mediation, which is the Northern Resolve model.
Family mediation
From the Family Mediation Council (FMC), which sets the standards for family mediators.
- What is family mediation?The FMC's overview, with a short film.
- What is a MIAM?The information and assessment meeting that starts the process.
- What does mediation cost?How mediators charge and what to expect.
- Family Mediation Voucher SchemeGovernment funding towards mediation about children.
- When mediation might not be suitableSafeguarding and other reasons mediation may not be right.
- Non-court dispute resolutionThe full range of options outside court.
- "What is family mediation?" leaflet (PDF)Also available from the FMC in Polish, Urdu, Panjabi, Arabic, Romanian, Spanish and French.
Who we are
Northern Resolve was founded by the family law professionals below, practising across Yorkshire and the North. Any family lawyer, mediator or arbitrator is welcome to adopt the model in their own practice.
Launch event
- When
- Tuesday 20 October 2026, 4.00pm to 6.00pm
- Where
- Mills & Reeve, Leeds
- Format
- Informal networking from 4.00pm, for a 4.30pm start. A relaxed panel discussion, followed by drinks, nibbles and more networking.
- Who for
- Family lawyers, mediators and arbitrators who want to see how the blended process works and how to get involved.
Together we will explore a different perspective on dispute resolution, focusing on how matters can be resolved in a civilised, collaborative and co-operative way, without the stress, cost and adversarial nature often associated with court proceedings.
We would love to hear your thoughts and questions. Bring them along on the day, or send them in advance to Julia Nelson at the address below.
RSVP (please include numbers attending and any dietary requirements)
Ciaran.Roche@mills-reeve.comPanel questions in advance
julia.nelson@parklaneplowden.co.ukGet involved
Northern Resolve is not an exclusive club or committee. We want other family lawyers, mediators and arbitrators to adopt the model in their own practices, not simply to refer families into it.
If you would like to use the Northern Resolve process, come to the launch, or get in touch with any of the founders. The flowchart is available on request, and family professionals can follow us on LinkedIn.
Contact
For anything to do with Northern Resolve, whether a referral, a question about the process or an interest in adopting the model, email any of the founders.