Mediation is a process whereby you and your former partner sit around a table (or occasionally in separate rooms) to discuss matters with the help of a neutral third party, the mediator.
You decide the issues for discussion in mediation, which often focus on divorce and separation, financial issues and dealing with arrangements or disputes relating to children.
The mediator helps to facilitate the process and guide the discussions, but the decisions about the outcomes are yours.
Mediation is a flexible and bespoke process which will move at your pace, with as many sessions as you require. It is completely voluntary and you are free to withdraw at any time.
How do I start?
Once one of you has made contact with us, an initial appointment will be arranged with you both individually. You will be sent an ‘Agreement to Mediate’ and the ‘Mediation Preliminary Information Form’, before your individual appointments.
Our Resolution accredited family law mediators offer a fixed price initial individual meeting to explain further about the mediation process and answer any questions you may have.
Thereafter, assuming mediation is suitable and both of you wish to proceed, the joint sessions will be arranged.
How long will it last?
The initial individual meetings usually last about half an hour. Typically around four joint sessions of 1.5 – 2 hours each are needed.
What is the mediator’s role?
The mediator will assist and guide you both towards your own resolution. The mediator does not decide the outcome, but helps the parties understand and focus on the important issues needed to reach a solution that might work best for you and your family.
Our Family mediators are trained by Resolution and are also solicitors at Moore Barlow.
What is the mediation process?
After signing the agreement to mediate, both of you will work with the mediator to:
- Explain your family situation.
- Agree issues you need to discuss.
- Decide the priority of the issues.
- Set timescales.
- Clarify the issues in dispute.
- Consider whether any other specialists might be able to help you.
- Find the common ground.
- Provide/obtain information i.e. details about any property you own, and your income and expenditure.
- Look at the various options and reality test those options. When there are financial issues you will need to give consideration to what everyone in the family needs, especially the children.
- Arrive at the option that best suits both of you and work out the details of your proposals.
Will I also need a solicitor?
You do not have to have a solicitor but we encourage you to take some legal advice alongside the process.
Our mediators are able to provide you both with legal information but not advice.
How Moore Barlow can help
For more information on costs and to arrange your initial individual meeting please contact our expert team.
