Family mediation is a process in which an independent, professionally trained mediator helps you work out arrangements for children and finances following separation.
Mediation can also be helpful when arrangements you’ve made before need to change, particularly as your children grow up.
Mediation helps you stay in control. No-one will make you do anything against your wishes.
The mediator will help you find a solution which works for you both and will explain what needs to happen to make an agreement between you legally binding.
Participants in Mediation make decisions that work for them, tailored to their individual circumstances
Individuals in Mediation can take the time they need to carefully consider and discuss proposals (around child arrangements and finances) tailored to them and their family. This is in contrast to Court proceedings, where more general decisions may be made or where a Court may only have a limited amount of time to consider the case.
Flexibility
Mediation is a flexible process and individuals can prioritise what issues are important to them and what issues they wish to discuss at each session. Practically speaking, Mediation sessions are also arranged at a time and place to suit both individuals too. This is in contrast to Court proceedings where the parties are not in control of the Court process and when/where hearings may be listed.
Narrowing issues
Even if not used to resolve all issues, Mediation can be an extremely useful way to narrow issues in dispute. This can save time, stress and cost as the issues to be resolved outside of Mediation have been identified and reduced.
Improves Communication
Mediation facilitates conversation and discussion between the individuals, to assist them in reaching proposals at Mediation so they can move forwards. Mediation promotes communication and this can be extremely beneficial for separated parents (and their children) who are going to have a co-parenting relationship moving forwards a long period of time.
Speed and timescales
Individuals can progress with Mediation sessions as swiftly as they wish. This can speed up reaching proposals to move forwards in comparison to the Court process, where individuals may wait many months between hearings. If individuals narrow disputed issues at Mediation, this can then speed up the process they use to resolve the outstanding issues, as those issues will be narrowed and reduced.
What does Mediation cost?
Mediation can be significantly cheaper than Court proceedings and the individuals are more in control of the costs, deciding on how many sessions they would like to attend. This is in comparison to Court proceedings, where individuals will be ordered to prepare documents for hearings and attend hearings.