Family law specialists at Fidler & Pepper Solicitors is launching a campaign to encourage parents to think about the impact of separation on their children.

The firm handles hundreds of divorce and separation matters each year, and takes a friendly yet professional approach when dealing with clients who are going through tough times.

Lawyers at the firm believe that mediation is the way forward in these cases, because it can cause less of an impact on the children of separating couples.

Natalie Potter, head of the family department at the firm, said: “When it comes to making the final decision to separate, many families go through an enormous amount of pressure. This can have a detrimental affect on the children, who will not be at fault for the events in their lives but who will of course feel the emotional effect of relationship breakdowns.”

Natalie added: “We take our responsibilities very seriously and we are encouraging people to really think about their actions and how their family might suffer. While it can be tough to get there, mediation is a far better approach than arguments in front of the kids. It can also save money on costly court proceedings.”

Natalie is a member of Resolution, a group of 6,500 accredited family lawyers and other professionals who are committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes.

Resolution says that members must follow a Code of Practice that “promotes a non-confrontational approach to family problems”, with members “encouraging solutions that consider the needs of the whole family – and in particular the best interests of children”.

One mum, who recently got divorced, said: “Although we needed to do it, it’s been a heartbreaking time for all of us. It wasn’t until we sat down and discussed things properly, without arguing, that we realised just how our daughter had been struggling with things but did not want to upset anyone. I just wish we had gone to mediation sooner.”

To help people going through separation, Fidler & Pepper Solicitors pioneered one of the first Pay As You Go Divorce solutions, a unique facility allows people to spread the cost of a divorce over 10 easy-to-manage payments.

It also keeps people in control of their cases, as they receive SMS text and email reminders to alert them when the next payment is due and cases can be put on hold (subject to certain restrictions).

For more about Fidler & Pepper Solicitors, visit www.fidler.co.uk