Family & Divorce Mediation Solicitors

What is Family Mediation?

Family Mediation is an alternative way for separating couples and families to resolve disputes and difficult issues in an amicable way. Mediation works by helping people who have decided to separate or divorce or who are trying to deal with changes in family relationships to talk things through. A trained, independent third party Mediator is instructed to meet with both parties to help reach a resolution without conflict. All sorts of things can be discussed at Mediation, such as arrangements for the children, financial and money matters or arrangements about living in the home. Mediation helps people make informed decisions, and provides somewhere safe and neutral to talk calmly and privately. Mediation is voluntary and confidential, and can often be more cost effective and quicker than court processes.

What are the benefits of Family Mediation?

Family mediation:

• Provides a safe space for you to explore resolutions to achieve the best outcomes for your family
• Can be a cost effective option, as we offer fixed fee family services
• Is confidential and entirely voluntary
• Can often be quicker than the court process
• Can often be less stressful, with less conflict between you and your partner.
• Can help to improve communication
• Allows flexibility whilst working together to achieve resolutions
• Helps you make informed decisions that are right for your circumstances

How Mediation can work for you

Mediators give impartial guidance to help you understand what matters to you, and to make your own choices about the best way forward. We can help you reach practical solutions for you and your family. Family Mediation can help you sort out practical issues such as:

• Arrangements for the children
• Financial support for the children
• Issues surrounding finances (e.g. houses, savings, pensions etc)

Is Mediation compulsory?

Family Mediation is a voluntary process that a couple going through a separation or divorce can utilise to help them reach an amicable resolution in a non-confrontational, safe and supported way. You do not have to attend Mediation, but it is always worthwhile considering Mediation as an option as it can be very cost effective, and can avoid significant conflict, especially for parents trying to agree arrangements for their children.

Although Mediation is voluntary, for most people who are engaged in family court proceedings, it is a requirement to attend a MIAM, unless you can satisfy one of the Court’s exemptions.

What is a MIAM?

A MIAM is a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting that takes place with a trained, independent Family Mediator. Although Mediation is voluntary, for most people who are engaged in family court proceedings, it is a requirement to attend a MIAM, unless you can satisfy one of the Court’s exemptions.

Is Mediation right for me?

Mediation is an option for you and your ex partner to meet together in a safe and supported atmosphere with a trained independent third party Mediator. It allows you the option to make decisions and arrangements for the best interests of your family in an amicable way. Mediation works for lots of people, but it isn’t always right for everybody. Mediation can be especially helpful where parents need to sort out how they can best raise their children, even though they will no longer be living together or where a couple wish to remain as amicable as possible, even after separating.

Our experienced Family Team will be able to talk to you about all of the options available to you, including Mediation, to enable you to make an informed decision about what is best for you and your family.

Is Mediation binding?

Family Mediation is a voluntary process that a couple going through a separation or divorce can utilise to help them reach an amicable resolution in a non-confrontational, safe and supported way. Mediation is non-binding, which means that anything discussed at Mediation or any arrangements agreed will not be imposed on the parties at the end of the Mediation process. Mediation is also confidential, and information discussed at Mediation should not be disclosed to anyone without both parties consenting.

If a resolution is reached during the Mediation process, it is possible to incorporate that into a legally binding agreement. Please note that you would need independent legal advice to formalise the arrangements discussed at Mediation into a legally binding document.

What is Child Inclusive Mediation (formerly direct consultation with children)?

Child Inclusive Mediation is a way to help parents to make arrangements for their children following separation or divorce.  It is important that decisions about future parenting are made by the parents as they are the ones who know their children best, however the perspective of the children can be crucial in helping parents in their decision making.

Child Inclusive Mediation allows the child to give their views on the proposals and arrangements you are talking about in Mediation. The child should not feel they need to take sides, especially if there is a difference of opinion between the parents and the Mediator will not be asking the child to make any decisions.

Where parents are disagreeing about how to share their parenting, the voice of the child is sometimes not heard very clearly, as the adults are preoccupied. Child Inclusive Mediation is an independent way of getting the voice of the child in the room.

Find out more

This short video below also explains more about mediation and particularly how it can help parents with young children.