What is Family Mediation?
Family mediation has developed to offer separating couples an alternative to the traditional process of allowing lawyers and the Courts to resolve issues arising from their separation.
When a couple separate it is often difficult for them to communicate, a trained Mediator can help parties to discuss the important issues arising from the separation and to reach agreement on these issues.
How does mediation work?
The Mediator works with the couple together. A lawyer Mediator will provide the couple with legal information and ensure that both parties provide information that will allow for discussion with full knowledge of all relevant facts (this is known as disclosure). The Mediator will help the couple to review their information and will use it as the basis for discussion (and settlement) of the issues between them.
What is involved?
The couple will arrange a meeting with the Mediator, the meeting will usually last one and a half hours. At first the Mediator will help the couple to work out which issues they need to discuss and what information is needed. The Mediator will then help the couple to consider how the issues could be resolved.
What sort of issues?
Family mediation can help couples deal with any issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship. Sometimes this can mean agreeing the arrangements for care for children, sometimes looking at finances and deciding how property should be divided and how the parties should be provided with an appropriate standard of living.
Why should I choose mediation?
Separation is a very difficult time for couples and any children. Mediation allows the parties involved to retain control of the important decisions about their future and the future of any children involved, rather than allowing others (the Courts) to impose solutions on them. In this way, couples can choose a solution which is appropriate to their personal needs.
How many sessions are needed?
This will depend on each case and the sort of issues that need to be discussed. Generally between four to six sessions of one and a half hours each enable couples to reach agreement on some or all of the issues.
How much will it cost?
At Withy King we charge a set fee for each one and a half hour session. This can be paid equally by the parties or in whatever shares they agree. We can discuss the fees with you before commencing mediation. We will also be able to advise you whether you are eligible to receive Public Funding.
What can you offer?
We have four trained Family Mediators, who have many years of experience as family solicitors and can use their detailed knowledge to help you find a solution to your problem. All are members of Resolution (formerly the Solicitors' Family Law Association).
We believe our charges for mediation are competitive and that resolving matters by mediation is significantly cheaper for the couples involved than the traditional solutions or Court route.
Do I need my own solicitor?
A Mediator is an independent third party and cannot give advice to an individual. You will be advised to consult your own solicitor to be sure that if an agreement is reached through mediation, it is a sensible one from your personal point of view.
Mediation sounds like a good idea, what do I do next?
Please contact us and we will be happy to explain the process further. If you want to go ahead with mediation they will want to speak to your partner to explain mediation and be sure your partner is happy to co-operate. If they are, a meeting will be arranged so that you and your partner can discuss mediation and decide how it can be made to work for you.
