What is Mediation?

What is Mediation?

What is Mediation?

Family mediation is a way of resolving disputes which arise before, during or after separation or divorce. It can also be helpful to avoid problems arising.

Mediation is voluntary and is a confidential process which gives you both the chance to discuss your issues, hopes, concerns and needs with each other, in the presence of a qualified family mediator.

Family mediation provides a safe environment, helping to reduce hostility and improve the chances of long-term positive communication. The family mediator does not advise people what to do, give them legal advice, take sides or provide counselling.

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The Mediation Process

Whether you send us a message or give us a call it doesn't matter. We'll then call you back at a convenient time and have a chat to understand your current situation.

Following this we'll explain what we can offer for you and which of our services will be most relevant for you.

At this point we will then do a legal aid assessment if it's relevant to check to see if you or your partner are entitled to any financial assistance in the mediation process.

The Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, often referred to as a MIAM, is the gateway to mediation. A MIAM must be conducted by a mediator who is accredited by the Family Mediation Council (FMC).

The mediator will arrange to see you both separately for the initial information meeting to find out how best to help in your situation. If both parties are willing to try mediation the mediator will then arrange the first mediation meeting.

Mediators are now required to consider meeting with the children directly to ensure their views are included in the mediation. This can only happen when both parents consent.

It is something that you must attend, except in some rare cases, before you can consider making an application to family Court in relation to any family matters.

Once you have both attended your initial MIAM meeting the mediator will make arrangements for you both to attend a joint mediation session. This will be at a time and date convenient to everyone involved.

Most of our clients now prefer the convenience of having their mediation meetings online, typically by Zoom. There are still some options for face-to-face mediation where the need arises. Whether you are meeting online of face to face the mediator will have discussed with you both how best to set things up and is some cases this will mean that you and your ex partner maybe in different zooms for all or part of the joint meeting, this is sometimes called 'shuttle mediation'.

The mediator will help you to hear from one another about the key issues and then explore the options with you both. The mediator will assist you in checking how practical your proposals are, guiding you to reach acceptable and workable solutions that meet your children’s needs. Any outcome you reach is entirely under your control.

Most separated parents benefit from taking a stepping stone approach to building or rebuilding the arrangements for children and on average most parents need between 1 and 2 mediation sessions over time to fully resolve things in cases involving child arrangements. Financial issues typically take 2 to 3 sessions. This may be over a period of time and is often depending on your life events, as well as any plans that you make in session one and the time needed to put them into practice and test things out.

We can then meet again and build upon the progress from session 1 and then address any other issues to enable you both to move forward.

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What happens on the day?

Our Mediators understand that it is not an easy meeting and some of the feelings that you might be going through, for example it is normal for you to feel worried or anxious about what might happen.

The family mediation process involves you working together with the mediator. They will make sure that you each have the chance to put across your point of view and the things that you wish to discuss.

The mediator will help you to hear from one another about the key issues and then explore the options with you both. The mediator will assist you in checking how practical your proposals are, guiding you to reach acceptable and workable solution that works for both of you. Any outcome you reach is entirely under your control.

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How much does Mediation cost?

Before the MIAM the admin team will speak to you to find out if you may be eligible for Legal Aid, if you or your ex-partner is eligible then this meeting will be FREE for you, otherwise

MIAM £120 inc vat.

We offer have £500 Voucher scheme for Child Arrangement Mediation, which is shared between you towards the cost of your mediation fees.

Depending on the experience level of the Mediator and the complexity of your case the fees range from;

		Per person per 1.5hr mediation
Consultant Mediator		£234
Senior Practice Consultant Mediator		£255

All fees are per person and inclusive of VAT.

If you require the mediator to provide you with a written summary of proposals or an open financial statement these will be charged in addition to the fees above. The mediator can explain these fees to you at the MIAM or in the mediation.

If you are a mediating about child arrangements a one off voucher can be applied for which will pay up to £500 towards the time in joint mediation meetings. Click here for more details.

What Happens after Mediation?

For Children only cases the mediator will upon request provide a summary letter detailing any agreements reached. If you require a parenting plan drafted this will be discussed with you at the mediation appointment.

Following the last financial cases the Mediator will produce an open financial statement that will be used as your financial disclosure in any divorce proceedings. This document is open and will need to be signed by each of you. The Mediator will also draft a Memorandum of Understanding or Summary letter depending on your needs, setting out any proposals/agreements reached during the mediation

If we produce a Summary letter, Open Financial Statement, Outcome Statement, Summary letter or Memorandum of Understanding at the end of a session or upon conclusion of your mediation the is a cost. Each document is charged at £120 per person (inc VAT).

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Couldn’t praise them enough ,had a wonderful experience staff are friendly compassionate. Our mediator Mabel was so helpful and knowledgeable really helped us with our financial agreement made the process so much easier ! Thank you
Mark Wade
Apr 2023
Mabel is very experienced and a meeting with her is incredibly hepful and reassuring. Just knowing that you are not alone with your concerns is very helful and that generally a pathway to solving family problems can be found.
Francis Dufort
Feb 2023
Thanks so much to Mabel, the financial mediation process was excellent. I was dreading having to go through this with my soon to be ex husband to sort out our finances, but Mabel guided us through expertly and impartially. I can highly recommend using this service, as not only is it very professional, but they are very flexible around work comittments you have etc and can hold meetings on face time or zoom.
Jenni Dagger
Mar 2021
I have spent 30000 solicitors fees I only hoped my ex had accepted Mediation earlier. In one meeting after 1 year the mediator Mabel was amazing, fantastic her patience, her wisdom and skills got me contact with my children who are my life. She was honest and truthful and told both of us stop blaming and move forward. All I wanted was same amount of time with most precious thing on this planet our children. Please we need to end conflict and this mediation is the way forward for all problems. Do not waste your money in court.
Amarjit Singh
Feb 2020

Why Choose Children 1st Mediation?

Our team of Professionally qualified Family Mediators have over 80 years collective experience in Mediation, so you can be sure you’re getting the best service. We believe in you retaining the decision making between you.

All of our Family Mediators are qualified and registered which means they are required to work within the parameters of family law and will consider with you both how the family court may deal with things. The mediator will help you navigate your way through the process towards finding workable solution for you both that can then be made legally binding as part of your divorce or legal separation.

Over 90% of our mediation’s lead to an outcome that both people are positive about, which makes us one of the most successful mediation services in England. This means that both of you have found a settlement that you can both live with, which avoids the need for court intervention, which no one wants. All of our mediators are accredited with the Ministry of Justice to undertake Family Mediation in both financial and Children’s issues so you can be confident your in safe hands.

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3rd May 2023