Ruth Hawkins of Boardman Hawkins & Osborne LLP Gains Prestigious Law Society Accreditation in Family Mediation
Boardman Hawkins & Osborne LLP (BH&O) is pleased to announce that Partner Ruth Hawkins has recently achieved Accreditation in Family Mediation from the Law Society – a recognition of her substantial expertise and experience in the field.
This accreditation not only highlights Ruth’s professional standing but also enables her to sign mediation certificates required for court applications. She is now also authorised to offer the £500 Government Mediation Voucher Scheme, which provides financial assistance to parents looking to resolve child-related issues through mediation.
Ruth, alongside fellow mediator and solicitor Carrie Rudge, is re-launching BH&O’s family mediation service. As part of this offering, Ruth is now conducting Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs) at a cost of £150 (including VAT). These individual meetings allow each party to discuss their situation in depth, consider whether mediation is appropriate, and explore alternative dispute resolution options.
“I’m really pleased to be able to offer the Government’s £500 mediation voucher,” said Ruth. “Mediation can be incredibly effective in helping parents work through arrangements for their children. They are best placed to make decisions about their children’s future – and finding an agreement between themselves, rather than leaving it to a judge, is almost always the better outcome. The voucher scheme is a great way to support families in taking that first step.”
Family mediation is increasingly seen as a faster, more cost-effective, and flexible alternative to the traditional court process – particularly at a time when the family court system is under significant pressure, with frequent delays and limited resources. As such, BH&O’s strengthened mediation service offers a timely and practical solution for families navigating separation or divorce.
Please visit the BHO website at www.bholegal.co.uk or contact Ruth at RHawkins@bholegal.co.uk
More in Professional Services
UK business confidence has dipped – resilience remains, but geopolitics is...
That is the overriding message from the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Q1 2026 Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), which reveals a business community continuing to operate, adapt and trade – but with confidence still fragile. The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is a comprehensive study conducted every three months by the Chamber of Commerce, gathering feedback from businesses across the Thames Valley region. It tracks key indicators such as sales, orders, employment strategy, investment plans and overall business sentiment, providing a snapshot of the regional economic climate and highlighting challenges and opportunities faced by firms.
Exit readiness: why it matters and how to prepare your business
For many business owners, exit planning only becomes a priority when a buyer appears. By that stage, pressure is high, options are limited, and value can easily be left on the table.
Mills & Reeve advises on the sale of TFP Fertility to...
Mills & Reeve has advised on the sale of leading international fertility services provider, TFP Fertility, to a US private equity investor.
From this author
What a show! This is an unmissable show for this Festive...
This year’s Oxford New Theatre Christmas season show is Miss Saigon, from the team behind Les Miserables. Michael Harrison in association with Cameron Mackintosh, is touring a fresh production of Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schoenberg’s Miss Saigon. Review by Ruth Hawkins for B4.
It’s all so very Greek! Mamma Mia hits Oxford’s New Theatre.
My first experience of Mamma Mia was watching the first film on a ferry back from France. I remember being enthralled by the energy of the film and the music. It’s a skill to create something which is universally enjoyable and, dare I say it, but the stage show does this in buckets. It is even better than the film! Review by Imogen Skipper.
Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP Celebrate Double Top-Tier Recognition in Leading...
Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP (BH&O) has once again been recognised as one of the region’s leading family law firms, achieving top-tier rankings in both The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners 2026 Guides — a remarkable achievement for a firm that has just celebrated its seventh anniversary.