Have you recently separated from your partner and finding it difficult to agree on arrangements for your children?
Are you struggling to decide on a division of assets that is acceptable to both parties following a divorce?
Do you want your child to move school, but your ex doesn’t agree?
Mediation could help.
To mark this year’s Family Mediation Week (27–31 January 2025), in this blog our head of family law and qualified mediator Louise Martin answers some questions about family mediation.
What is family mediation?
Family mediation is an effective way of helping couples sort out issues without having to go to court.
It can be used to resolve various domestic disputes between former partners or other family members.
Mediation is most commonly used by separating couples looking to agree on issues arising from the breakdown of their relationship, such as child arrangements and a financial settlement.
A family mediator acts as an impartial and neutral mediator between you and your former partner to help you make the right choices and decisions for you and your family.
What are the benefits of family mediation?
Pursuing a family law case through the courts can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful.
Pitting two people against each other and delegating decision-making responsibility for their issues to an external party, such as a judge, has also proved divisive and adversarial and is likely to result in unpredictable outcomes.
Family mediation encourages collaboration, open conversation and means couples call the shots, which leads to better results.
Read more about the benefits of family mediation in last year’s Family Mediation Week blog by clicking here.
How does the mediation process work in family disputes?
If you are engaged in a dispute with an ex-partner and think family mediation would help, the first step is to attend a mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM).
This is an initial assessment meeting with an independent mediator who will talk to you about your issues and explain the mediation process.
The mediator will then assess your case and consider whether mediation is suitable.
If so, you and your ex-partner or other party in the dispute will then be invited to joint mediation sessions.
What if mediation doesn’t work?
If mediation breaks down, or either party becomes unwilling or unable to engage at any stage of the process, the mediator will provide you with a certificate which will enable you to take your case to court.
What does a mediator do?
A mediator is a neutral, professional third-party who is trained to work with people whose relationships have broken down.
Mediators are not relationship counsellors and will not try to get you back together with an ex.
They do not take sides. Family mediators manage conversations between parties to ensure everyone’s views are heard and understood.
Mediation is not about passing judgment or arguing about who is right or wrong, but about finding a way to work together to provide mutually beneficial solutions for the future.
Find out more about family mediation in our Family Mediation Guide.
How much does family mediation cost?
We charge £100 + VAT per hour per person for our family mediation services in Market Drayton. We have a dedicated mediation suite at our offices, providing a safe and secure environment where you can meet and talk.
We conduct many MIAMs and mediations via Zoom, which can prove a very convenient alternative to those who would prefer this to attending a face-to-face meeting
Mediation sessions usually last between 1 to 1 ½ hours. Your mediator, Louise Martin, will prepare documents for you between sessions to help the process move forward.
Mediation proceeds at the pace of the parties and in accordance with what best suits your situation. How many sessions you will need depends on the issues you need to discuss and how engaged you are in the process.
Family Mediator Shropshire
Louise Martin trained as a Resolution mediator in 2016 and established a private mediation practice at Onions & Davies Ltd during that time.
She is skilled in family law, enabling her to help mediation clients reach outcomes for the benefit of themselves and their families.
For an appointment with Louise or to discuss mediation further, please telephone Sharon on 01630 411226.
Find out more about our family law mediation service here.