Assumption: "If we can't agree on arrangements for the children, court is the only option."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
Parents believe going to court is the only way to resolve a child arrangements dispute.
Court Reality
Mediation, Early Neutral Evaluation, and arbitration all exist specifically for child arrangements disputes. Arbitration can produce a binding decision without a courtroom. Only 15% of private law children cases ever reach a final judicial decision. Courts commonly expect that parties will have considered alternatives before proceeding to court, as demonstrated through the Family Procedure Rules.
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The Gap?
"If we can't agree on arrangements for the children, court is the only option."
Court Reality
Mediation, Early Neutral Evaluation, and arbitration all exist specifically for child arrangements disputes. Arbitration can produce a binding decision without a courtroom. Only 15% of private law children cases ever reach a final judicial decision. Courts commonly expect that parties will have considered alternatives before proceeding to court, as demonstrated through the Family Procedure Rules.
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