Mediation

What is mediation?

An independent professional mediator can help to facilitate discussions between you as a neutral third party. 

The mediator will assist you to identify the information which is necessary to enable you to make informed decisions, can help you to generate settlement options and reality test those options to identify the best solution for you both taking into account the individual circumstances of your family.

If an outcome can be reached through mediation the mediator can draw this up for you into a Memorandum of Understanding which your individual lawyers can advise you on and convert into a court order by consent if appropriate.

If necessary your lawyers can be involved in the mediation and the mediator can invite other independent neutrals into the process to assist with emotional, financial or parenting issues.  These professionals can for example include Family Consultants or Financial Experts.

Mediation is about looking forward and not back, finding solutions and avoiding destructive confrontation.

Mediation can take place in person or online. You can be in the same room as each other or in separate rooms.

Mediation can take place with all communications being shared by the mediator with each of you or if hybrid mediation is set up the mediator can have separate, confidential meetings with each of you to help find solutions.

If there are children involved then mediation can ensure when appropriate that they have a chance for their voice to be heard. A specialist child inclusive mediator can speak to the children to ascertain their wishes and feelings to give them a chance for their voice to be heard. Where the children give permission, these wishes and feelings are then shared by the mediator with the parents in a separate feedback meeting. The parents can then use this information to help them work out the child arrangements moving forwards.

So why could mediation work for you?

You can focus on what is important to you and resolve matters quickly.

If there are children they will benefit as they will be the focus. It can provide a very powerful message to children if parents can resolve differences constructively together.

You can achieve flexible and creative solutions adapted to your needs.

The process is straightforward and eliminates the opportunity for misunderstanding.

Communication can be enhanced through the process, to lay the foundations for healthy relationships afterwards which is particularly important if you are parents.

The process is confidential.

You will benefit from working together with an independent third party who is completely neutral.

You will have control over the process, which can help to make mediation a very efficient and cost effective option.

What issues are suitable for the model?

Living together agreements

Pre and post nuptial agreements

Separation/dissolution and divorce

Financial matters that needed to be sorted out when couples separate Arrangements for children