Frequently Asked Questions

Reports can be requested from the courts during any point in legal proceedings or commissioned prior to an initial hearing. The court will usually favour outcomes where the parties have come to a level of agreement under Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) prior to entering court to formalise matters. ADR in family law matters is supported by the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 and the Mediation Act 2017.

We aim to complete all reports within a 7-week timeframe. This allows all parties to receive a copy prior to a court sitting and to fully consider the content.

Costs are borne by the involved parties by agreement on commencement. This can be a shared 50/50 cost or by one of the parties. Payment is due following the issue of a draft report and needs to be completed prior to the issue of a final version which can be used in the court or within the ADR process. 

Costs are dependent on a number of factors i.e. nature of report, legal requirements, number of involved children, etc. Please make contact for a detailed quote.

This is a growing and effective approach in child care, custody, and guardianship matters, offering alternatives to traditional court proceedings. ADR seeks to resolve conflicts in a less adversarial and more collaborative manner, focusing on the child’s best interests. The primary forms of ADR in this context include mediation, collaborative practice, and family conferencing. The benefits of these approaches are reduced costs, reaching effective agreements faster and a reduction in potential conflict.

Mediation is the most common ADR method in family law disputes, including child custody and guardianship cases whereby a neutral, trained mediator facilitates discussions between the parties to help them reach a mutually acceptable agreement with a focus the child’s welfare and the parents' ability to co-parent effectively. As a qualified mediator, Steven Peet is able to support families in this area. Agreements can cover custody, access arrangements, and parenting plans. If both parties consent, agreements can be made legally binding.

This involves both parties working together with their respective solicitors and other professionals (e.g., child welfare specialists) in a cooperative process. As such the parents/guardians and their solicitors sign a participation agreement committing to resolving the matter without going to court. This approach involved child-focused discussions and creative problem-solving to meet the family’s unique needs. As such the outcome ensure that the parties (and children) maintain control over decisions rather than having a judge decide.

Arbitration is less common in family law matters in Ireland due to its binding nature, which may not align with the principle that child welfare decisions remain open to review. ADR rightfully focuses on effective mediation in family disputes. Judges often encourage parents to attempt ADR before proceeding with litigation, particularly for child custody and guardianship matters. In all cases, the child’s welfare and views are central to the decision-making process. In some ADR methods, children can express their views directly, or through a trained professional.