Janet Bloor: From Creative to Courtroom
Her career began in the fast-paced world of television graphics, where creativity and storytelling shaped her early path. But behind the visuals was a desire for deeper challenge and purpose. Transitioning from graphic design into law, she found a new stage—one where advocacy, problem-solving, and human impact take center stage. Today, as a mediator, legal consultant, and passionate advocate, she blends creativity with critical thinking to help families navigate conflict with clarity, compassion, and lasting solutions.
“Creativity and law both solve complexity by finding clarity.”
What motivated your transition from graphic design into law, mediation, and divorce coaching?
After gaining my degree in Graphic Design and Photography I knew it was the added dimension of film and video I wanted, so headed first to the BBC for my training. Then Breakfast television came along with TV-AM and the advent of computer graphics. I spent 25 years in television as a graphic designer for various companies until I began to realise I was looking for a greater intellectual challenge. I decided on law and to be a barrister as anyone that knows me it is the dream job to be paid to argue. After doing the law conversion degree and then the bar the first area of law I found myself in was Crime and Immigration. The similarities on being an actor and performing in court are not coincidental. Problem solving a legal issue and working out how best to interpret your designs have parallels too.
How does your background in art and design influence your approach to mediation and legal problem-solving?
I fast realised when I moved into Family Law the high conflict adversarial nature of court was not appropriate for most cases. It made a stressful situation a thousand times worse cost a minimum of £20k each took at least two years to come to court and more importantly had a completely detrimental effect on the children. There had to be a better way and there was – Mediation. I went sideways training as a commercial mediator and a family mediator.
What is your approach to managing high-conflict family law cases while prioritising child-focused outcomes?
Mediation is a totally different process where the parties are encouraged to reach their own solutions rather than have one imposed on them by a judge. High conflict cases involving children can be managed by making sure the chid has a voice and age appropriate counselling can be part of the process. In extremis when you have a case of Parental Alienation made out that is usually judge led owing to the very serious nature of allegations made.
How do you build trust and maintain professional boundaries when attracting clients through platforms such as TikTok Live?
TikTok and other forms of social media are a usefull platform to reach your clients especially those that might be intimidated by approaching a law firm. It is how people communicate now a days professional boundaries are still maintained while presenting a friendly, accessible face. My consent agreements and financial orders are legally binding.
What were the key challenges and professional lessons from your involvement in the Mills v Mills Supreme Court case?
Mills v Mills was a special challenge that attracted a lot of press coverage and the likes of Fathers For Justice supporting, as it was seen by Mrs Mills long divorced was coming back for a “second bite of the cherry” and asking for more maintenance while Mr Mills was seeking to reduce the order. Lesson there always obtain a full and final consent order.
“Mediation isn’t about winning—it’s about finding solutions.”
How has your experience in advocacy and international lobbying shaped your understanding of family law and access to justice?
Another hat I wear is a Rare Disease Advocate. My son Phillip Carroll died age 28 three years ago with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. I carry on with his legacy advocating across Europe and the US for DMD and I will be in Prague 1st June for the thirteenth EURORDIS conference on Rare Diseases. I was able to visit the Family Courts in Pittsburgh and see how their mediation process works.
How do your leadership roles in charities and professional organisations inform your practice as a mediator and legal consultant?
My heavy involvement in charities in my capacity as chair, vice chairs and trustee has taught me leadership not only in managing resources and people but how to apply for research funding and even Lottery funding. Most important is the ability to speak to power to be able to navigate the various levels of government and health providers. All this experience translates to problem solving and identify where you need to go to solve those problems. My legal hat quite often translates to helping families in the rare disease community because when Disabilty hits a family it can either make or break a family and sadly it is more often than not the cause of family breakdown and this is where I can help with complete empathy.
What insights did your mini-pupillages provide, and how do they continue to influence your legal work today?
In the early stage of reading for the bar and prior to pupillage it is very import to try out as many mini pupillages as possible this allows you to see in action all the different areas of law available and even ones not covered on the curriculum like I did Special Education Needs. To this day I am still helping families with Special Education Needs Tribunals.
How do you ensure ethical compliance and neutrality while working as both a mediator and legal consultant?
After gaining my degree in Graphic Design and Photography I knew it was the added dimension of film and video I wanted, so headed first to the BBC for my training. Then Breakfast television came along with TV-AM and the advent of computer graphics. I spent 25 years in television as a graphic designer for various companies until I began to realise I was looking for a greater intellectual challenge. I decided on law and to be a barrister as anyone that knows me it is the dream job to be paid to argue. After doing the law conversion degree and then the bar the first area of law I found myself in was Crime and Immigration. The similarities on being an actor and performing in court are not coincidental. Problem solving a legal issue and working out how best to interpret your designs have parallels too.
What are your professional priorities and goals for the next stage of your career?
A mediator is totally neutral and it is not your job to give an opinion, you are there solely to facilitate the parties to reach their own decisions whereas if I am being employed as a consultant people are paying for my opinion two entirely different roles.
I would love to branch out to International Mediation and Arbitration.
