What is Mediation?

A trained mediator will help you to;

gather together the necessary information
discuss your main goals
consider what fairness means to each of you
identify and consider the possible options for any issue being discussed
negotiate a package that meets your goals and views of fairness as far as possible
draft a detailed document at the end of mediation setting out your agreed proposals and the
reasoning behind them.

Important Principles of Mediation

It is voluntary. No one can be forced to used mediation. You may withdraw from mediation at any stage - as can the mediator.
Mediators do not take sides. They are impartial.
Mediators do not advise you or make assessments about what you should or should not be doing.
Mediators can work on the basis that you are competent to take charge of your own decision making and wish to do so.
Your discussions in mediation are confidential and may not be used in Court. Financial facts you share together in mediation are open and may be used in Court.

How Long Will it Take?

Mediation on matters that includes finances and property, usually involves 3 -5 meetings. Mediation to discuss parenting plans only, usually involves 1 -3 meetings.

At the end of mediation we draft your agreed proposals for you in a document called a Memorandum of Understanding. This document can be converted by a solicitor into a legal document that is binding, should you so wish.

In October 1999 Kent Family Mediation Service was awarded a Legal Services Commission contract for Publicly Funded Family Mediation.  This means that we are able to offer everyone the opportunity to be assessed for Public Funding (formerly known as Legal Aid) on their first, or any subsequent, visit to the Service.  This type of Public Funding is specifically for family mediation.   This type of Public Funding is not covered by the statutory charge, that is to say, it is not repayable at the end of the mediation process.

Kent Family Mediation Service is audited by the Legal Services Commission to ensure that standards and procedures are being maintained.  To date, we have obtained near perfect marks for each audit undertaken since our Public Funding contract was awarded in 1999.

Each client that attends mediation is sent a questionnaire when mediation has finished.  We value client feedback and comments and use this positively to help shape the future of the Service.

We also have a strict complaints policy and procedure which we take very seriously.  Details are available in written form on request.