Family Mediation
Why should I choose The Mediation Specialists?
“We appreciate that relationship breakdown is hard. It is a time when we all need as much help as we can get to adjust to major life changes.”
Our family mediation specialists are not only highly qualified and experienced mediators, but are able to bring their decades of experience of family law, psychotherapeutic and financial expertise to the mediation table. This means the management of your mediation experience is exemplary and leads to highly effective decision making results for you.
“When life is difficult, you need all the assistance you require easily available to you. We provide all the mediation expertise you need in one organisation.”
You are able to choose from a comprehensive range of specialisms related to family law disputes to ensure your unique circumstances are matched to the right expert mediator. Sometimes, two mediators with complementary specialist knowledge will suit you best and will both work with you. This is called co-mediation.
“We will provide a service unique to your specific needs.”
Sometimes our mediators will co-mediate so that you have the benefit of, for instance, two experienced mediators with complementary expertise, such as family law and finance, or family law and psychotherapy, to provide you with a tailor made support system to resolve your dispute. In addition to our mediators, we have brought together a support team who offer a range of relevant services which can assist you within mediation, and in conjunction with it.
“The right support is available for you; counselling, life coaching, mortgage advice, health and well being.”
As well as a comprehensive range of mediation services, our support services include life coaching (for those who would like support to return to work or change career), counselling, mortgage advice and health and well-being support.
How does family mediation work?
In family law cases, the mediation process usually involves a series of round table meetings between a couple, supervised and supported by the mediator. Sometimes you may wish to meet with the mediator in separate rooms, if necessary, although this can add to the time taken in mediation and, therefore, the cost involved. It is recommended that you both meet with the mediator in one room, if at all possible.
“We work with your family lawyers to achieve the best outcome for you.”
The mediator will recommend that you obtain independent legal advice from a Resolution (formerly the Solicitors’ Family Law Association) accredited family lawyer before starting mediation. Your lawyer is there to provide you with partial legal advice and your mediator will inform you if you may need to consult your lawyer for further advice at any stage in the mediation process. At the end of mediation, your lawyer will draft all court documentation, including court consent orders, necessary to complete the legal process.
“You decide what you need to discuss. We are trained to provide the best way to move discussions forward.”
The mediator is in charge of the mediation process. You decide what you wish to discuss. An agenda of items for discussion is set at the first meeting. Any information required to assist in reaching a decision, such as financial information or information about children, is produced by you, at the request of the mediator, in the second and subsequent meetings.
“We help you think outside the box.”
Options for settlement are then discussed and the mediator may suggest options for you to consider that you had not thought of. The mediator assists by reality checking proposals for settlement and a resolution is achieved in subsequent meetings.
“We prepare reports that keep your lawyer informed of progress.”
The mediation process and the discussions within mediation and the proposals for settlement reached are confidential. At the end of the mediation process the mediator will produce a document, known as a Memorandum of Understanding. This document sets out and explains the proposals reached by you in mediation. You are not bound by the proposals for settlement until you have received, or had the opportunity of receiving legal advice from your lawyer.
The mediator will also produce an Open Financial Statement if you have been involved in family mediation concerning financial arrangements. This document will meet the standard of disclosure usually requested within court proceedings and which would be expected by your lawyers. This document is not confidential and could be used in court proceedings, if necessary.
Direct Consultation with Children
Some of our family mediators are trained to directly consult with children within the mediation process. This can provide children with the opportunity to speak confidentially to the mediator and express opinions or concerns or views which may not otherwise come to light. This can be highly effective and useful, particularly for teenagers. However, there are clear guidelines which need to be discussed, understood and accepted by you both before a consultation can take place. Your mediator will be happy to discuss this with you.
What do I do next?
“You will receive a free telephone call to explain more.”
Please contact us. You will need to complete the contact form which will provide us with some idea of the assistance you need from us. You can specify a mediator you wish to instruct if you wish. We will then telephone or email you, no later than the end of the next working day, to arrange a convenient time for you to speak to your allocated mediator at length.
You will then have a free telephone conversation with your mediator who will be able to explain mediation to you in more detail, provide you with details of fees and answer any queries or concerns that you might have prior to commencing mediation.
Once the mediator has spoken to you both to ascertain whether mediation is a suitable process for you and, after completing a mediation information form and agreement to mediate, mediation can commence.
“In tough times, you are making a wise and positive choice for you and your family.”
