What Is Family Mediation?

Family mediation is an independent, impartial professional service. A trained mediator will help facilitate all parties to work out an agreement. Mediation is recognised as an effective alternative to resolving disputes. The courts will expect you to have considered mediation before hearing your case. Mediation is voluntary and all parties need to be willing to participate and be open and honest.

Why Do People Choose Mediation?

 

Many couples who have decided to separate or divorce may be unable to agree on certain matters including arrangements for the children, all financial matters and property. This can be a very anxious time and mediation is a safe space to start the conversation.

Family mediation is a confidential and impartial process where the mediator helps the parties involved in family breakdown resolve disputes and conflict.

Avoid The Courts

If you go to court you are asking somebody else to make decisions for you. Mediation supports you stay in control and seek agreements that support you and your family. Mediation saves time, and money, it is a quicker and less costly way of resolving disputes and enables people to work through their concerns in a neutral and safe environment.

 

Stay In Control

Mediation can help you stay in control. It supports you in making the decisions. The mediator will help you explore solutions which work for you all and explain how you can make an agreement legally binding.

Child Focused and future-focused

Mediation supports meaningful conversation about your parental relationship and all the arrangements for your children. Ensuring that your children maintain a healthy relationship with both parents. Putting children at the centre of these discussions and considering their needs is vital.   

Child-Inclusive Mediation

The feelings and wishes of children should always be the primary consideration. Child-inclusive mediation is an option that can be explored.

Who Is Mediation For?

 

 

For anyone who is separating, whether married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting. Maybe this is happening now or maybe you separated some time ago. 

You need to discuss:

Financial Matters, Property, pensions, maintenance etc.

Child arrangements 

Mutual agreement on living and contact arrangements for the children of the family.

Family mediation can also help in the following situations:

 

To discuss contact arrangements or revisit an existing agreement?

Extended Family contact 

Resolving relationships between in-laws, siblings, and other relatives. Setting boundaries and agreeing on parenting plans in newly extended families.