We’re delighted to share some exciting news from Pax Mediation: our team has been nominated in two categories at the National Mediation Awards 2026. 🏆 Mediation Provider of the Year 🏆 Legal Aid Provider of the Year We would, of course, be thrilled to make the shortlist when it is announced later this year. But whatever happens next, receiving these two nominations gives us a very good reason to stop for a moment and celebrate the people behind Pax. Celebrating the Pax Media

BBC Panorama's Child Maintenance: Parents Under Pressure has put the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) and the difficulties separated parents can face over child maintenance firmly in the spotlight. The programme heard from parents with very different experiences of the child maintenance system. For some, the issue was maintenance not being paid or received as expected and the financial pressure that created. For others, there were concerns about calculations, affordability and

School holidays can be one of the trickiest parts of co-parenting after separation. During term time, families often settle into a fairly predictable routine. Then the school holidays arrive and suddenly there are weeks to divide, childcare to arrange, holidays to book and family occasions to consider. There is no single way that separated parents should divide the school holidays. What works will depend on your children, their ages, your usual arrangements, work commitments

You’ve found the holiday, checked the dates and started looking forward to getting away with your child. Then your ex says they don’t agree to the trip. For separated parents, disagreements about taking a child on holiday can be stressful, particularly when a holiday is approaching or money has already been spent. If your ex won’t agree to your child going on holiday, family mediation can give you both a space to discuss the proposed trip, understand any concerns and see whet

If your ex is refusing to sign or cooperate with your child’s passport application, the first thing to know is that both parents do not usually need to physically sign a UK child passport application. However, difficulties can arise where parents disagree about the passport application itself or about taking their child abroad. For separated parents, passports and holidays can sometimes become another source of conflict. Family mediation can help parents discuss the concerns

Planning a family holiday after separation can bring up many questions, and one of the most common is: "Who pays for our child's holiday?" Whether it's a weekend away in the UK or a trip abroad, conversations about holiday costs can sometimes become just as challenging as deciding the dates themselves. Every family's circumstances are different, and there is rarely a single answer that works for everyone. However, many parents find that open communication and family mediation

School holidays are often the highlight of the year for families. But for separated parents, they can also become a source of disagreement. One of the most common questions we hear is: "What happens if we both want the same holiday dates?" Whether it's the summer holidays, Christmas, Easter or a half-term break, it's not unusual for both parents to want to spend the same special occasions with their children. While these situations can feel frustrating, they don't have to lea

When separated parents are making plans for school holidays, one question comes up time and time again: "What if my ex books a holiday during my contact time?" Whether you're the parent planning the holiday or the one who has just found out about it, it's understandable that emotions can run high. Holidays are precious family time, and nobody wants to feel that their relationship with their child is being overlooked. The good news is that these situations are incredibly commo

For many families, a holiday abroad is something children look forward to for months. Whether it's a week in Spain, visiting family overseas or a once in a lifetime adventure, most parents simply want to create happy memories with their children. But if you are separated, you may be wondering: Can I take my child abroad without the other parent's permission? It is one of the most common questions we hear during the summer months, and unfortunately it can also become one of th

The summer holidays are often something children look forward to. Whether it's a trip abroad, a UK break or simply spending extra time with a parent, holidays can create lasting memories. But what happens when a child says they don't want to go? This can be an incredibly difficult situation for everyone involved. One parent may feel worried or unsure how to respond, while the other may feel hurt, rejected or concerned that their relationship with their child is being affected