Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Responsible Mediation and Domestic Violence

By Amy Carron Day

March 31 of this year marked the start of a potentially interesting dialogue. Family and divorce mediators had a joint, all-day conference at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York with an impressive array of professionals who have regularly worked and advocated for domestic-violence victims for decades. Since the inception of family and divorce mediation, mediators have struggled with the issue of whether cases involving domestic violence ' any kind of domestic violence ' should preclude mediation from occurring. Most advocates in the domestic violence community have been clear for some time: There should be no mediation when domestic violence is involved. Studies show that divorce and separation are dangerous periods for victims of domestic violence, and professionals in both fields want to protect victims' legal rights, as well as their physical and emotional well-being. But is there a process that can protect them to the extent we imagine? The New York City Bar's conference was just the beginning in exploring solutions.

The conference was a true effort to help mediators better understand domestic violence and to help them begin building a stronger relationship between professionals in both the domestic-violence-prevention community and the mediation community. I took away a variety of statistics, information regarding defining abuse, understanding better who an abuser and victim may be, and ' most importantly to me as a mediator ' a greater understanding of how to screen for domestic violence.

Read These Next
The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Beach Boys Songs Written Decades Ago Triggered Current Quarrel With Lawyers Image

There's current litigation in the ongoing Beach Boys litigation saga. A lawsuit filed in 2019 against Nevada residents Mike Love and his wife Jacquelyne in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada that alleges inaccurate payment by the Loves under the retainer agreement and seeks $84.5 million in damages.

Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Transfer Tax Implications on Real Property Leases Image

The real property transfer tax does not apply to all leases, and understanding the tax rules of the applicable jurisdiction can allow parties to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary tax liability.