Family Mediation

Guiding Families from

Conflict to Resolution

Turning Uncertainty into a Clear Path Forward

With Talk & Resolve Mediation, we aim for you to retain ultimate decision making power and for you to choose your path, instead of allowing the courts to take control; thus ensuring that participants reach an agreement and work out a solution to their problems which is acceptable and tailor made to suit the needs of those in dispute.

We have a future-focused approach, as we help clients move on from the difficulties of the past to find their own solutions for the future.

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Family Mediation

Types of Family Mediation Work Undertaken

  • Mediation resolving disputes relating to the arrangements for children including parenting plans, finance and property, communication and any other matters that are important following the breakdown of the relationship.
  • Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings.
  • Mediation with solicitors or other relevant professionals in attendance.

Important points to note:

Mediation is a form of dispute resolution and negotiation. Family Mediation is not a counselling service as Family Mediators do not try to get the parties to get back together. Instead, we help the parties to iron out misunderstandings and to resolve feelings of anger and stress.

Understanding Family Mediation

Mediation takes place by way of agreement and is a voluntary process in a safe, confidential environment which is informal, yet professional.  It enables those taking part to explain their concerns and needs to each other in the presence of a professional mediator, with the aim of finding a mutually acceptable and workable solution.

The participants reach their own informed decisions following meaningful discussions and negotiation, managed with sensitivity and professionalism. The mediator, who is strictly neutral, assists the couple or other family members to reach decisions that are workable both in the short and the long term.

The discussions in mediation are confidential (save for concerns about child protection).  Mediation often produces creative, tailored solutions which are likely to lead to more satisfactory arrangements for all concerned.

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Who is it for?

Mediation is for anybody who has conflicts concerning the family’s children, parenting, finances or general struggles to make good decisions at a conflicting and difficult time.

  • Husbands and Wives who are separating/divorcing
  • Couples who have been living together; Co-habitees
  • Parents who divorced/separated some time ago and are having continuing issues with their ex – partner about child or children
  • Parents of children who have never lived together but need to resolve issues concerning child arrangements and their needs
  • Civil partners who are separating
  • Gay couples who have cohabited but who do not have a Civil partnership
  • Extended family members (grandparents/ step – parents/ close family members) who have issues that need resolving regarding children

At What Point is it Useful?

1

Before the issue of Court proceedings.

2

During Court Proceedings.

3

Before a Final Hearing

4

After the Final Hearing if an Appeal is pending

Mediation can prove to be equally as useful no matter which stage it is commenced at.

The Family Mediation Process

Initial assessment (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting – MIAM)

A separate, confidential meeting will take place with each of you to explain in more detail what mediation is and how it works. This meeting enables you to ask questions freely about the process and ensure that you understand what it is before you decide whether to proceed. In some…

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First and subsequent Mediation sessions

You will both need to attend this meeting and generally you will be sitting together in the same room. If you prefer to sit in separate rooms, suitable arrangements will be made so that this is possible. During the first session, you both decide what issues you would like to resolve in mediation. This becomes…

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Final session

Once you have addressed what is important to you both and to your children and reached joint decisions about how you wish to resolve any parenting or financial issues, your decisions will be incorporated into a formal document for you to retain. As the discussions  in Mediation are confidential, they are not legally binding on you. The formal…

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Mediation Voucher Scheme

Mediation voucher scheme: £500 vouchers are available to eligible mediation clients discussing arrangements for their children. Please ask Manjit Kaur Gill on mgill@talkandresolve.co.uk to see if you might be eligible. Details of the scheme can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation-voucher-scheme

Learn More about Family Mediation

How does Family Mediation Work for Children?

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How does Family Mediation Work for Finances & Property?

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Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAM)

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Interested in how we can mediate for you?

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Our Costs

Peaceful Resolutions Start with Mediation

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Understanding Family Mediation

Mediation takes place by way of agreement and is a voluntary process in a safe, confidential environment which is informal, yet professional.  It enables those taking part to explain their concerns and needs to each other in the presence of a professional mediator, with the aim of finding a mutually acceptable and workable solution.

The participants reach their own informed decisions following meaningful discussions and negotiation, managed with sensitivity and professionalism.  The mediator, who is strictly neutral, assists the couple or other family members to reach decisions that are workable both in the short and the long term.  The discussions in mediation are confidential (save for concerns about child protection).  Mediation often produces creative, tailored solutions which are likely to lead to more satisfactory arrangements for all concerned.

Mediation sits firmly at the heart of the family justice system and is now becoming the preferred method of resolving disputes caused by family breakdown. The Government has acknowledged that in comparison to the court process, family mediation is generally cheaper, quicker and less acrimonious, thus avoiding the need for a prolonged legal battle and mounting legal fees.

Initial Assessment (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting – MIAM)

A separate, confidential meeting will take place with each of you to explain in more detail what mediation is and how it works. This meeting enables you to ask questions freely about the process and ensure that you understand what it is before you decide whether to proceed.  In some cases it may be more convenient to have these meetings on the phone, in which case you would then be seen briefly before the first mediation.

You will have the opportunity to explain what the issues are for each of you and your family so that a view can be taken as to whether mediation is the most appropriate way forward. If you are not eligible for Free Mediation, the costs of mediation will be explained to you. Provided mediation is suitable and you both wish to proceed, a mediation session will then be arranged at a time that suits you both.

First and Subsequent Mediation Sessions

You will both need to attend this meeting and generally you will be sitting together in the same room. If you prefer to sit in separate rooms, suitable arrangements will be made so that this is possible. During the first session, you both decide what issues you would like to resolve in mediation. This becomes your agenda. During the first and subsequent mediation sessions relevant information will be gathered to enable you both to make informed decisions, whether relating to finances, your children or other issues.

You will explore options together, to enable you both to decide which options would give you and your family the most satisfactory and long lasting solutions.

With regards to your children, it is not unusual to struggle with parenting after a relationship has broken down. Parenting is challenging at the best of times. Parenting effectively after separation can present new, sometimes tougher challenges than before. During the Mediation, you will discuss and find positive ways of dealing with these challenges together, to ensure that your children make this transition with you, with the minimum of distress. Any arrangements that are made in respect of children should focus on the children as individuals ensuring whenever possible, that their needs and concerns can be met.

With regards to finances, the process of gathering financial information can feel daunting. You will be helped in doing this as effectively and quickly as possible.  Confusion can be clarified, misunderstandings can be explained and legal information can be provided where necessary. Having explored the possible options you will work towards finding a solution that can work for each of you and the family.

Final Session

Once you have addressed what is important to you both and to your children and reached joint decisions about how you wish to resolve any parenting or financial issues, your decisions will be incorporated into a formal document for you to retain.

As the discussions in Mediation are confidential, they are not legally binding on you.

The formal document will enable you to take further legal advice should it be appropriate or should you wish to do so. In some circumstances, for example, when resolving financial arrangements as part of a divorce, it is recommended that you ask your independent legal advisors to incorporate your decisions into a document that can then be put to the Court to make your decisions legally binding. This will be discussed with you fully during mediation.