Halle Berry's custody case: is mediation the answer?

If you reckon life’s easier for the rich and famous, take a look at A-list actress Halle Berry’s rocky relationship with former partner and father of her child, Gabriel Aubry, and think again.

The couple initially attempted to share parenting responsibilities for their two-year-old daughter Nahla after their split last April, but relations quickly soured and X-Men actress Halle has now launched an acrimonious residency battle, expressing “serious concerns” about her ex-boyfriend’s ability to care for their child.

The UK Government’s plans to reform legal aid and child maintenance arrangements for families are designed to turn such situations around and encourage separating parents to use mediation to come to amicable agreements. But is mediation a solution that will work for every family?

Halle Berry’s spokesperson yesterday made a statement that gave no hint that an agreement could be reached via reasoned discussion.

“Halle has serious concerns for her daughter’s wellbeing while in the care of her father for any extended period of time and is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect her,” the representative said.

“She has attempted to resolve theseresidency issues amicably with her daughter’s father, Gabriel Aubry, directly. But given his lack of co-operation, Halle has no choice but to seek swift judicial intervention.”

In fact, the situation has become so serious Halle has dropped out of her latest film, New Year’s Eve, to concentrate on the case; further proof the decision to enter a residency battle hasn’t been taken lightly.

There’s little doubt that mediation is the preferred option for most couples; it not only makes for happier parents, but happier kids too. The stresses of court battles are not only financial; they can have a significant emotional impact on both parent and child, with kids often left caught in the middle. But will talking it out always work?

Organisations like National Family Mediation and websites like The Parent Connection, developed with family mediators, are on hand to help parents work out an amicable strategy for separation. But it takes a commitment from both parties to build a new relationship based solely on co-operative parenting and for some couples the prospect it just too daunting. So should all separating parents work through their situation with the help of mediation? Or are some situations just unsalvageable? Leave your comments below!