Reflections on Resolution

by: Tracy Ann Moore-Grant

I had the pleasure of visiting the United Kingdom for the second time in 2024. This time the focus was on launching AmicableDivorceNetwork.co.uk, connecting with our members and a little bit of learning at the Resolution Conference. My trip began in Manchester and it was a great opportunity to meet with Grace Beech with Today’s Family Lawyer. The Amicable Divorce Network has a partnership with Today’s Family Lawyer and it is always great to take time to get together and plan for the future.

Next it was time to head to Leeds (almost via the wrong train) for the Resolution Future Practice Conference. One of the big topics on everyone’s mind was the 2024 change to the MIAM to discuss mediation. The conference was excellently curated start to finish and I don’t think I stopped taking notes the entire two days. Coordinator Elaine Richardson did a wonderful job bringing together a variety of topics for the conference. Special thanks to Amicable Divorce Network member, Rebecca Hawkins, for showing me the ropes and introducing me to so many wonderful professionals. A few highlights for me were:

1. Stephen Wildwood who spoke about his research on the family law system in Denmark which is an inquisitorial system, not adversarial. I have long felt until we do away with the adversarial system in family law we will continue to be plagued with those manipulating and increasing conflict for financial gain.
2. Learning about the Resolution Together program. This program allows one attorney to advise both parties in a divorce action to help them reach a lower cost and efficient solution. Although this is not permitted in most jurisdictions in the United States it was interesting to hear how this program promotes efficient conclusions. If the case is unsuccessful in this program, the parties could pursue an Amicable Divorce where each party has their own attorney and they continue to work on a resolution. The current family law system in the United Kingdom does not have another solution if the one attorney process fails and so Amicable Divorce can provide another safety net to parties prior to resorting to litigation.
3. Ravi & Farhana: I could have sat through this mind blowing workshop all day. The presenters focused on 2 rarely discussed topics in family law neurodivergence and menopause. Needless to say we will be bringing these topics and speakers to an Amicable Divorce Network event.

My last stop was in London. Special thanks to mediator, Katy Harris, who came to my aid via scooter when I woke up with no cell or wifi service. The end cap to my trip was our Amicable Divorce Network dinner with Our Family Wizard at Eataly where we all took a few moments to share hugs, cocktails and ideas.

Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way to make this trip and amazing success. Wherever I travel the world always seems a bit smaller when I meet like minded professionals who are all focused on helping people divorce better, with less conflict and with less cost. It is always inspiring to share our ideas face to face.