TRADITIONALLY positive views of school holidays could be far from the reality for many couples and families.

Taunton-based Peppy Griffiths, who has 20 years’ experience as a family lawyer and has worked as a mediator for the past three, sees a surge in break-ups in September . . . once the kids return to school.

She said: “It’s a sad fact that difficulties in relationships are more likely to escalate during the summer holidays.

“The pressure to commit to the ‘happy holiday’ during the long summer break often escalates the unhappiness or conflict in a struggling relationship, resulting in one or both parties acknowledging that it’s time to move on.

“If a couple are already struggling the additional strain of having to spend time together and look after the children seems to be the catalyst in deciding they can’t go on.”

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics estimate that 42% of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce, but many people don’t know where to turn when it happens.

Peppy said: “The first thing couples should do is get some free advice.

“Some lawyers and mediators may offer a half-an-hour free session.

“The Resolution – first for family law website www.resolution.org.uk has a lot of useful information and details of lawyers and mediators, and the Direct Gov website www.gov.uk/divorce/overview has really evolved in the past year or so.”

Following these initial steps there are several avenues available to sort out details of the separation, such as care of children or finances.

Couples can try to reach an agreement themselves, a mediator can provide them with key information, a lawyer can help in negotiations or a court process can be pursued, culminating in a judge making the decisions.

Peppy said: “When I started, family law was very much about fighting for every penny or for care of the children without thinking about the fall-out, but over the years the attitudes of the Government, courts, judges and lawyers have really changed.

“Everyone’s much more aware of the ‘voice of the child’, and trying to do things in a much more conciliatory and fair way.

“I’m a firm believer that mediation is a positive and beneficial way to help parties. It’s considerably cheaper and quicker than an acrimonious divorce involving court proceedings.

“It’s about giving information rather than advice so even separating couples can work together to find a solution.

“Because they have taken ownership of their outcome it’s quite a healing process. It puts the conflict behind them so they can move forward and live with what they’ve resolved.

“Most importantly, mediation helps parties maintain a dignified relationship during a difficult time.”