Family Mediation, Divorce and Separation

From April 2011, separating couples have been required to assess whether Family Mediation would be a better way of resolving their disputes rather than battling over them in court.

For couples who have decided separation is the only course of action, Family Mediation means they can decide the terms of their split between themselves, helped by a trained and impartial mediator. Mediation is often quicker, cheaper and less confrontational than going to court. Research shows it can cost a quarter of the price and take a quarter of the time of going to court, and it can ensure better results for families too.

Currently many people who have already separated repeatedly go to court to argue over matters they are better placed to sort out themselves - like securing 30 minutes extra contact time or varying their allocated contact days. This is expensive and emotionally draining for all concerned.

Family Mediation may well be the answer.

With the help of our professional trained Family Mediators you just might be able to sit in the same room and have some meaningful dialogue about what is best for both of you and your family. Using mediation helps you to find ways to communicate with each other and is a more amicable model than the traditional legal approach. Our mediators create a safe place to resolve your differences at your own pace.

Mediation offers an opportunity to recognise the needs of your children as well as yourselves;
Mediation is a way of helping you to reach agreements which take account of all your needs, concerns and interests;
Mediation is comprehensive and can look at all issues to be resolved together;
Mediation is confidential, save for the sharing of financial information and any concerns about child protection;
Mediation is suitable not only for married couples but also if you co-habit, whether same sex under the Civil Partnerships Act, or heterosexual, where the law is much less clear.

Decision making rests with the participants; that is, you are treated as the experts in dealing with your children, your finances and your future.

Family Mediation is not:

Reconciliation – although the mediation process is designed to help improve communication between mediating parties.
Counselling – the mediator is an independent, impartial negotiator. In the event of either party requiring counselling the mediator may be able to provide information upon how to contact a counsellor or counselling service.
A substitute for legal advice - although the need for lawyers may be substantially reduced.
An opportunity to impose views upon the other party to the mediation.
An opportunity to abuse participants to the mediation process.
Legally binding unless the parties to the mediation wish to enter into a legally binding agreement based upon the proposals arrived at within the mediation process.

Costs

Costs for Family Mediation vary on a case-by-case basis. For further information and to be put in touch with one of our Family Mediators, please contact us.

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