@FamilyLawHour Training is always a good thing. Otherwise you are relying on the experience of a lawyer to listen to their client and put forward their case in the way they think is best for them. Family lawyers should be experienced in dealing with clients with a range of different needs.

@DwDivorce @FamilyLawHour That’s even more tricky, when it’s not your client who has autism, it’s an undiagnosed other party.

@PougherRound @FamilyLawHour Mandatory for every lawyer though? Or as you said for those taking on cases involving autism?

@PougherRound @FamilyLawHour I don’t think the public would assume that all lawyers are trained to that extent.

@FamilyLawHour It can affect the positions that parties adopt, making settlement harder. We all know social media doesn’t show an accurate picture but it impacts on perception.

Only 4 days into December and I’ve had to abandon my longstanding radio station loyalty to Magic FM. 100% Christmas music has proved too much for me. Any recommendations for other stations? Trying Absolute Rock currently.

@Claremadeline @FamilyLawHour @DwDivorce Who would do this if there was no mediator?

@Claremadeline @DwDivorce @FamilyLawHour Who would perform that task? A neutral person is crucial.

@cshigton @DwDivorce @FamilyLawHour That is the challenge, schools are so thinly stretched already.

@cshigton @FamilyLawHour I think an increase to the value of the voucher could help improve uptake.

@cshigton @FamilyLawHour Does the current mediation voucher scheme apply to CIM? Mediation costs can be off-putting to some parents.

@DwDivorce @FamilyLawHour As ever it will come down to properly funding a suitable service.

@cshigton @FamilyLawHour This is only for children of a particular age range isn’t it?

@DwDivorce @FamilyLawHour Schools are already overstretched and under funded, how would this work in practice? And who would be responsible for contacting the school?

@cshigton @FamilyLawHour It’s available now and isn’t widely used. Parents try to shield their children from conflict and worry.

@LebbyE My thoughts exactly.

@David_Challen Just wow. No insight into his own behaviour.