Awareness of family mediation as an alternative to legal advice is not matched by action, with nearly half of people saying their first professional port of call in a divorce would be a lawyer.

The charity NFM (National Family Mediation) is urging couples considering separation or divorce this January to take time to explore all available options before rushing to lawyers this Divorce Day.

An uncontested divorce occurs when both parties agree on all the major issues, such as: This type of divorce is typically ...