Family Mediation Solicitors
What is Family Mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process that can help you successfully resolve any disputes about your children or the financial issues arising from your relationship breakdown.
How does it work?
Our family mediator will arrange to meet you and your former partner or other family member initially on your own to give you an opportunity to discuss mediation and for her to provide information about the mediation process.
Once the mediator has seen both of you separately then if suitable mediation can start with both of you meeting the mediator in the same room.
What happens in mediation?
You will both be given time and space to talk about the issues that concern you and to discuss options; together you and your ex-partner will try to agree some next steps and reach some agreed options with the help of the mediator.
How long is each session and how many sessions will I need?
The first session is the longest as usually the mediator also sees each of you separately on that occasion. The first session on your own with the mediator is usually about 20 minutes. Following the first separate sessions if a joint session then takes place this usually lasts about an hour. Most sessions are between an hour and an hour and a half.
Usually between three and five sessions are needed to reach some agreed options or to narrow the issues.
What happens at the end of mediation?
The mediator will draft a document setting out the background and the agreement reached. She will advise you to take legal advice on the agreed options with a solicitor who will then draft the agreement into a document called a consent order after giving you independent advice on the outcome of mediation.
Juliet Adelman is our mediator. She is a Resolution trained mediator and has been a qualified mediator since 2013. She is also an experienced family solicitor. For information about mediation contact her on Juliet.adelman@atkinshope.co.uk or ask for her on 0208 680 5018. We offer mediation at all our offices.
What is the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme?
In March 2021, the Government launched the Family Mediation Voucher scheme in an attempt to encourage more people to use mediation as a way of resolving family law disputes. In January 2022, it was announced that the scheme was to be extended, following an additional £1.3 million investment.
Those who are eligible to apply for the scheme are able to receive a financial contribution of up to £500 towards the costs of mediation. To be eligible for the voucher, a case will typically need to involve:
- A dispute regarding arrangements for a child
- A dispute or application regarding family financial matters
- A dispute involving both of these elements
Only mediators who are authorised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) are able to take part in the scheme. Our mediator, Juliet Adelman, can advise you in relation to the scheme and what steps need to be taken to make the most of it.
For further information about the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, please click here.
Get in touch with our family mediation solicitors today
To speak to one of our family mediation solicitors today then please ring 0208 680 5018 or contact your local Atkins Hope office in Blackheath, Croydon, Medway or Guildford.
