How does it work?
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The family mediation process involves a couple working with a mediator. There are 3 stages
Stage 1 Assessment meeting (MIAMs) - The mediator will explain the process and assess if your case is suitable for mediation. You can ask questions so you can make an informed decision if mediation is right for you. This meeting can be held alone or together, but most people prefer it alone so they can ask questions they may not want to ask in front of the other person. Stage 2 The mediation meetings (normally between 2-6 meetings) - The first session you come together and you make an agenda to discuss what matters you wish to mediate on. The first and subsequent meetings last about an hour and a half. During the mediation sessions you may be given tasks to preform between meetings - such as obtaining financial information or trying a pattern of contact to see if it works. In property and fiance matters an Open Financial Statement is prepared dealing with your financial disclosure Stage 3 The end of the mediation - If you need a document setting out your proposals you will be given one e.g. in financial matters relating to divorce you may need a "Memorandum of Understanding" setting out the proposals reached so your solicitor can turn them into a Consent Order How much will it cost?Our costs are designed to suit your needs and budgets.
Our MIAMs meeting will cost £100 each for a single assessment - which will include the letters out to you , the meeting and correspondence to the other side to see if they will come to mediation and/or the forms to allow you to proceed to court. A joint MIAMs will be £150 split between the two of you. If you are unsure if the other party will come to mediation we can do a letter inviting them to attend a MIAMs meeting. If they decline or do not respond within 7 working days we will issue the necessary form to allow you to proceed to court - we charge £50 for this. If they say they will attend the £50 will be deducted from the MIAMs fee for the person who paid the fee. If Mediation proceeds, costs will be on a time spent basis - the figures are for each of you.
A typical session lasting 1.5 hours will cost £150 (if you earn under £40k pa) or £187.50 (if you earn over £40k pa) or £225 (if you earn over £80k pa). There are no hidden costs and all correspondence to arrange the meetings are included in the fee. Also included in the fee will be a Record of Session highlighting the topics discussed at the meeting and a "to do" list of tasks for the next session, if any. The preparation of documentation is also charged at your hourly rate: The figure is for each of you as applicable
If your matter is more complex your mediator will notify you regarding alterations to the fee. If the mediation requires a second mediator an additional sum will be charged to your existing hourly rate.If this is necessary it will be discussed directly with you. Example: A mediation relating to children will usually take 2 meetings with the option to have a co parenting plan and will cost £500 (if you earn under £40k pa including the cost of the MIAMs session) A property and finance meditation lasting 3 meetings and 2 documents will cost £800 (if you earn under £40k pa including the cost of the MIAMs session). We do not offer legal aid at Earley Solutions. If there is a possibility you may be eligible you should check the http://civil-eligibility-calculator.justice.gov.uk/ and check the Legal Aid Agency website for firms which will offer this service to you http://find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk/ |
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