The following links may be useful to parents who are seeking advice on contact matters, or specific legal advice relating to family issues. There are several services to address issues linked to separation and divorce. Unfortunately the Withington Contact Centre cannot offer legal advice or mediation to anyone as we lack the necessary expertise. Below is a list of local family law solicitors, including those who offer some form of free consultation.
Any omissions are unintended and simply due to lack of knowledge.
Websites for Information on Separation/Divorce Issues
AdviceNow: divorce survival toolkit Ending a marriage or civil partnership. Provides advice on issues linked to separation: in relation to children, divorce or finances; how the divorce law works; when and how to get resources such as lawyers or mediators. Provides a step-by-step guide of issues you must be aware of, including what to do if someone breaks a court order. Also contains links to various legal resources (finding solicitors, legal aid calculator, etc).
Marriage, Civil Parternership & Divorce Provides a range of information about procedures to deal with separation as well as information on resources and how to access their websites.
Resolution Organisation supporting family solicitors. Provides advice for couples splitting up and can help you choose the correct legal or non-legal route to separation. Can help you find a family solicitor in your area.
Dictionary of Family Court Words Hosted on the NACCC website, this document is produced by Cumbria Local Family Justice Council in collaboration with Change. Gives clear explanations of terms used in family law court proceedings.
NACCC Website The National Association of Child Contact Centres is the supporting membership body for most contact centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This site contains general information about contact, contact centres, some families' experiences regarding contact, as well as relevant websites.
Services for Separation/Divorce Issues
Various services offer resources for individuals, parents or families dealing with separation or divorce. Mediation can help parents wanting to find ways to resolve issues, such as contact with children.
CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) CAFCASS has a special role for children and families involved in various court proceedings, including separation and divorce. They have a role in addressing questions such as who the child should spend time with. Provides a truly impressive list of useful websites here.
Family Mediation Manchester Access to mediators from legal, court welfare or therapeutic backgrounds – parents can use this to resolve issues associated with separation /divorce, including contact with children.
Relate Offers mediation and counselling for individuals, couples, children and families.
Pro-Contact Manchester Offers various services including therapies, parenting courses, parent information programmes and mediation.
Divorce Support Group Group offers support and mediation (such as therapy) aimed at divorce and separation across England, including Manchester.
Families Need Fathers A national organisation that provides advice and support services for parents on how to do the best for their children, aiming to ensure that both parents have equal status The website provides a list of explanations a and comments on many issues associated with divorce and separation.
McKenzie Friends Hosted on the Families Need Fathers website, this page gives introductory information. Roughly speaking, McKenzie friends are paralegals who do much of the work of traditional family solicitors, but have no professional qualifications. Consequently they can be much cheaper. Follow the link for more details.
