Family Mediation Services – 174 Family Law
Separation doesn’t have to mean confrontation. Our accredited mediators help couples find common ground, resolve disputes amicably, stay child focused, and reach fair agreements out of court.
How do I know if mediation is an option for me?
Before you engage in mediation you will have a one to one consultation with the mediator, called a MIAM’s meet, in order to assess the appropriateness of mediation for the issues you seek to bring to the mediation table and in order to check that mediation is appropriate for you as an individual.
Most family disputes are appropriate for mediation, however if you have been in an abusive relationship we will need to assess this carefully to ensure your voice will be heard in a safe way or your ex wont cooperate with the mediator then mediation may not be for you.
I want to come to mediation but I don’t want to see my ex
The mediator will explore with you the reasons why you don’t wish to see your ex in this process and discuss with you Shuttle mediation whereby you will not see your ex in the process but the mediator will relay the conversations between you separately. There are pro’s and cons for this and the mediator will explain these to you at the preliminary MIAMs meet.
I don’t know what my ex has financially. How can I mediate in relation to finances
Before you can look to explore different financial outcomes the mediator will take you through the full financial information needed to be disclosed completely, consistent with the legal process, so that both you and the mediator has thorough insight into your finances picture as a whole before negotiations can take place.
If one party fails to produce all of their financial information the mediation process may have to come to an end or any outcome may subsequently be set aside. Mediation can work collaboratively with your lawyers so as to ensure your interests are being fully protected at all times. Lawyers can also be integrated into the process.
I don’t want to come to mediation but the court is telling me I have to
Mediation is not compulsory and you do NOT need to come to mediation before you go to court. There are many benefits to mediation and all of the research supports mediation agreements are statistically more likely to be successful and on a longer term basis, than any court imposed order and are better for your children, this is why it is now mandatory to have an initial meet with a mediator on your own to find out more about the process in order to identify if mediation is an option for you. This is called a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting ( MIAMs ).
You can elect at the end of this meet not to come to mediation and the mediator can then give you a certificate to confirm that mediation is not appropriate for you which will then allow you to make an application to court.
What can I use mediation for?
Mediation is appropriate for most family disputes whether this be to help you sort out the arrangements for the children, what will happen with your home and whether you can claim on your ex’s pension.
We can also meet with your children so that they too can have a say about the arrangements which will be impacting upon them and have their voices heard. However mediation can also help you with more discreet family disputes such as inheritance disputes, inter-family disputes such as whether or not a parent ought to go into a care home or stay at home or even at the start of your relationships by way of Cohabitation agreements and Pre Nuptial Agreements.
Mediation is simply a platform for safe dialogue where all worries and concerns can be expressed, discussed and taken into consideration helping you to find palatable compromises and ways forward.
How does Family Mediation work?
While legal rules prevent us from acting as solicitors for both of you, mediation provides a safe, neutral space to resolve disputes together. It offers a structured platform to discuss sensitive matters like child arrangements and financial division – with an independent expert guiding the conversation to keep things fair and constructive.
We tailor the process entirely around your comfort. Whether you prefer meeting in the same room, via video call, or in separate spaces where the mediator shuttles between you, we make communication as stress-free as possible. We equip you with the legal knowledge needed to make confident, informed decisions that can later be made legally binding.
OK, mediation sounds right for me – what else do I need to know?
Child Focused
Mediation helps you to keep focused on your children’s needs and not just focus on the adult disputes only. Our mediators will share fact based research to help you to carve out a parenting plan that works best for you and your children and provide you with tools and strategies to minimise any impact your separation / dispute may have upon them both now and in the future.
Stay in control
Mediators won’t tell you WHAT to do but can help you to chose what are the best options for your future. It will enable you to retain control and ownership of your future outcomes but on an informed basis with the mediator sharing lots of relevant information and shared experiences to find the best options for your newly reconfigured family.
Children's Wishes
Our mediators can meet with your children and can help with the decisions being made about them. Your child’s voice can be extremely powerful and in mediation be given a safe platform where their voices can be heard in a safe way, without prompting. Their voices remain confidential and will only be shared with you if they give permission to do so. An opportunity to check in with your children and make sure they’re ok.
Safe open dialogue
The mediator will give you the ability to say what you want and why but in a safe way without consequence. We will discuss how you want to mediate whether this be in the same room together physically or virtually, separate rooms or even separate times. Ultimately mediation is there to ensure your voice can be heard.
Your voice is heard
You will both be given the opportunity to ensure you are able to represent your position and be heard without interruption. We will discuss this during our initial one to one meet to ensure you feel you can express yourself and how this can be done without fear or prejudice, compromise or intimidation. We will also start every session with you separately to check in with you to ensure nothing has changed which would impact upon this.
Work at your pace
You decide how quickly you wish to deal with your affairs. Mediation can often result in decisions being made in 6–8 weeks. However, if this is not the pace for you then that’s ok. Sometimes outside factors can dictate the pace such as delays in obtaining important documentation necessary for the process or simply you wish to arrange meets around pay day. You decide.
Cost effective
You will be charged per session at 90mins/session and on average we need 3 sessions. You are charged on a pay as you go basis so you know where you stand every step of the way, with no hidden charges. There is also concluding documentation prepared at the end of the process, confirming the outcome and reasons why. There is a separate charge for this. All other charges , if any , will be agreed in advance.
Legal Aid and Family Mediation Voucher is Available
Provided you meet the financial criteria, legal aid is available for mediation. You do not need to demonstrate Domestic Abuse. Ask us for more information on eligibility or check out our legal aid assessment tool.
We also offer the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, this offers up to £ 500 towards our fees. This is non means assessed. Only qualifying criteria is your children are on the mediation agenda.
