Conversation before Conflict
We also offer out of hours appointments (4pm-10pm) & Sat/Sun (8am-12pm) with no extra charge
Experienced Family Professionals
James Lascelles, BA (Hons), PGCE, NPQH, LLM (Law Masters), FMCT Qualified Mediator
James is a Member of Resolution the home of Legal and Family Professionals and is a member of the Family Mediation Council. He is currently working towards FMCA status and is mentored by Lorraine MacNay, FMCA Mediator and Professional Practice Consultant.
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With over 20 years of senior leadership in primary and secondary schools, James has gained hands‑on experience supporting separating families. From moments of crisis through to witnessing and supporting many positive child arrangements and co‑parenting outcomes he has real life experience of what happens when the lawyers and mediators leave and the practicalities and realities of the co-parenting journey begins
After his education career James completed a Law Masters with a focus on resolving disputes. This experience built on James’ interest and commercial experiences as a CEO managing property and finance matters during his time running an Education Trust. James is very comfortable helping and supporting discussions about all types of financial and property issues including complex matters, and high net worth individuals. ​​
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Following a gruelling two year legal battle James has seen and experienced first hand what happens when you place your interests into the hands of others and the delay, distress, and loss of control both parties experience. Convinced there had to be a kinder, quicker, and less costly way forward James gained his Family Mediation Certificate. He created Mediation4Families to use his experiences help put conversations before conflict.
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​As a dad of four, James understands the emotional and practical juggling act families face. He’s active in his community through theatre, music, and the arts. He also serves as Vice Chair of Governors at his children’s former primary school where he champion’s pastoral care and the importance of the voice of the child. ​​
Lorraine MacNay, FMCA Mediator and Professional Practice Consultant
Lorraine MacNay is a Family Mediation Council [FMC] Accredited All Issues Family Mediator as well as an FMC Professional Practice Consultant [PPC].
Lorraine has a wealth of experience spanning four decades working with children, young people and their families in multi-disciplinary settings such as Leeds Children’s Services. Lorraine completed her training to become an accredited Family Mediator with Family Matters Mediate in Doncaster, whom she still provides mediation services to. As part of her role at FMM, Lorraine facilitated the Separate Parent’s Information Programme [SPIP] to parent’s going through the court process for three years on behalf of Cafcass.
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As founder of Rethink Mediation, Lorraine is passionate about providing professional affordable family mediation to everyone. Lorraine understands reducing conflict between parents is essential to support children’s experience moving between their parent’s care. Lorraine has extensive experience in financial mediation and adopts a compassionate pragmatic approach to manage requirements of legal disclosure resulting in robust financial agreements that the court can authorise and make legally binding.
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Lorraine is adept at guiding the mediation process with sensitivity and expertise, empowering people to feel heard, understood and supported as they build practical, sustainable agreements for the future.