What is Mediation?

Mediation is a process in which those involved in a family breakdown, whether or not you are a couple, or other family members, have an impartial person to help you to communicate better with one another.

  • It takes less time
  • Is cheaper
  • Provides better outcomes than drawn-out court hearings
  • A neutral space where you can make decisions together relating to separation, divorce, children, finance or property by negotiation, with a mediator who is purely there to help support and guide you both in making your own agreements
  • You do not necessarily have to see a solicitor as a first step when you decide to separate or divorce – you can go straight to a mediator
  • Decisions made during mediation can be made legally-binding.
  • Mediators are impartial, professional, trained and qualified to practise.

 

The Government is committed to encouraging more people to resolve their disputes outside of the courtroom, which is why it introduced legislation that requires you to consider mediation before going to court. Since the law changed on 22 April 2014, most divorcing and separating couples in England and Wales considering court action over a dispute about children or finances, must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) first to see if it could help (unless there are special circumstances). You will usually be invited to separate private meetings, however, joint MIAMs can be arranged.

According to the Ministry of Justice, in 2013 “nearly two thirds of couples who attended a single mediation session for a child dispute reached a full agreement. Almost seven out of every ten couples who opted for mediation reached an agreement.” (Ministry of Justice Press Release published 20 August 2014).

 

Mediation works because it helps you find practical solutions that feel fair. Mediation gives you more say in what happens, as in court, a judge will usually make the decision based on his or her assessment of the case.

The Principles of Mediation are easy to follow:-

  • Mediation is a Voluntary Process – You and your ex-partner will both need to agree for mediation to take place.
  • Mediators act Impartially
  • Mediation is Confidential
  • Decision Making rests with you the participants

 

Please watch this short video below made by the Ministry of Justice, to help you understand what family mediation is all about.

 

 

The models of mediation I currently offer are sole mediation and co-mediation. Other models of mediation are available upon request. As each case will be different and may require more / less time, for more information on prices, please contact me using this link. click here

Family mediation, and legal help for mediation is free for people who are able to claim Legal Aid. This means that you may not have to pay if you are on a low income and have few savings. Check if you are eligible for Legal Aid at https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid .

You can ask for legal advice at any stage in the mediation process. Even if you are not able to claim Legal Aid, you can still save money by trying mediation first, rather than going straight to a solicitor.

For further information on how mediation can benefit you, please contact me on the above details.