Frequently Asked Questions

Family Mediation is a way of supporting you to make your own decisions when a relationship is over. Mediation minimises the conflict between you and your former spouse/partner. It offers an opportunity to sort out practical family arrangements with the help of an impartial trained mediator, particularly during separation or divorce. It is quicker and cheaper than other ways to resolve matters following separation and divorce.

All our mediators are trained by National Family Mediation or a similar body. Their competence is assessed, and they are authorised by the Legal Services Commission. They are full members of the Family Mediation Council, the body that sets standards for mediation services in the UK. They come from a variety of professional backgrounds: view their details here.

Any family member. It does not matter whether you are married or not, have children or not, or are in a same sex relationship. We are equally able to support step-parents and adoptive parents. Family members other than the couple may use mediation to arrange how to keep in touch with children, siblings, grand-children etc

Indirectly children are involved in most mediations, where their views and likely effects upon them are considered very carefully by their parents.

However, we are also able to involve the children more directly so that they have a chance to express their views about the situation. They are seen by mediators who are specially trained in talking directly with children. A full explanation and safeguards to protect the child/ren are built-in before a mediator will agree to a ‘direct consultation’ with a child.

We have a specific leaflet giving information about listening to your children. Please contact us and ask for a copy.

Yes it does! We listen very carefully to the feedback we receive so that we continue to address individuals’ needs. Mediation is about you, not about a process. Over 70% of clients who come to mediation reach agreement, with most of these reaching full agreement on all the issues they wanted to discuss.

Possibly nothing.  At the first meeting you will be invited to complete an assessment form which may qualify you for publicly funded mediation.  If you do qualify it will cost you nothing.

For those who do not qualify there is a scale of charges based on your income. Please see our fees page for details of our charges. This fee includes the work of the mediator and all administration costs. It includes VAT.

Family Mediation is quicker and cheaper than other ways to resolve matters following separation and divorce.

That is for you to decide. Some find it helpful, but others don’t wish to involve them.

There are advantages in having your own legal advisor who can protect your individual interests and, at the conclusion of mediation, can prepare orders for the court. A small additional fee is payable to your solicitor for this service.

A list of solicitors is available from our office, if you are unable to find one yourself.