When families separate, the default assumption is often to "lawyer up", but is the courtroom really the best place to resolve family conflict?In this episode, we speak with James Pirrie, family lawyer, mediator and arbitrator at Family Law in Partnership about the limitations of the legal system, the emotional realities of separation, and how multidisciplinary collaboration can better serve separating families.Our hosts Bill Hewlett, founder of Civilised Separations, and Mitch Wilkins, Child Consultant, explore these topics with James:➡️ Why the legal system isn't always the best place for family separations➡️ What actually happens when a case reaches the courtroom➡️ The promise and pitfalls of collaborative law➡️ How children’s needs can get sidelined in legal processes➡️ The role of lawyers, mediators and relational specialists in creating better outcomesWhether you’re a family professional or someone going through separation yourself, this is a frank, thought-provoking conversation about how we can do better for families.🧠 Guest Bio:James Pirrie is a leading family solicitor, mediator and arbitrator based at Family Law in Partnership, known for his work championing non-adversarial approaches to separation. With decades of experience and a passion for reform, James brings a thoughtful, multidisciplinary lens to family law and conflict resolution.🔗 Links & Resources:James Pirrie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-pirrie-ba94347/Family Law in Partnership: https://www.flip.co.uk/Civilised Separations: https://www.civilisedseparations.co.uk/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@civilisedseparationsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/civilisedseparations/Explore more episodes of Conflict to Connection wherever you get your podcasts📣 Subscribe & ShareIf you found this episode useful, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps more families find support for better outcomes during separation.