What is Mediation?

Mediation is a service for couples, parents, children, grandparents and other extended family members involved at any stage of separation or divorce. It is a way to make decisions with the help of an impartial mediator, or co-mediators, on matters such as :

future living or parenting arrangements for the children
property and financial settlements
balancing budgets

Mediation can help you to achieve this in a structured and thorough way that allows you to stay in control of the outcome. Mediation is not marriage guidance, counselling or reconciliation.

How Does It Work?

A trained mediator will help you,

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.