Insights

As Mediation Week 2026 draws to a close, one theme has come through clearly in every conversation we have shared this week. Mediation is no longer a “nice alternative” to court.

In today's Q&A, we hear from Ella Potter, a solicitor at Laurus, on the value of early exposure to mediation and the role training plays in developing stronger family lawyers.

In our next Q&A, Camilla Hooper shares her perspective on the emotional realities people often bring into mediation, particularly at the very start of the process.

Ingrid Starcic explains when mediation is appropriate, why careful screening is essential and how experienced mediators identify risk factors such as coercive control and power imbalance.

William Hogg, Head of Alternative Dispute Resolution at Laurus, explains how family mediation works in practice and why it can be a more constructive alternative to court.

January reviews are in full swing. Clients are reassessing priorities, asking sharper questions, and looking more closely at whether everything they have in place truly works together.

Diaries are cleared, priorities sharpen and there is a renewed focus on getting things in order. It is also one of the most sensible moments in the year to look at something many people postpone: wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs).

With rising house prices and more buyers relying on the Bank of Mum and Dad, parents often ask how they can protect the money they are contributing towards a deposit.

Kirsty Kelleher explains how inherited assets are treated during divorce and the steps you can take to protect family wealth. This guide covers what the court considers, how timing and use of inheritance matter and when agreements or trusts can help.

Buying a home is often described as one of life’s most stressful experiences. Much of that stress comes from not knowing what is happening behind the scenes. In this edition of Property Law Unpacked, we explain what your solicitor actually does once you’ve found your new home — and why each stage matters.

As delays within the family court system continue to grow, more separating couples are turning to non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) to reach fair and efficient outcomes. At Laurus, our Family Law team has long championed these alternative routes.

With growing delays in the family courts, Ingrid Starcic, Associate Partner at Laurus, shares why non-court routes such as mediation, arbitration and collaborative law often lead to faster, calmer and more cost-effective outcomes for families.