What is Mediation?
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Family Mediation is a way of resolving disputes which arise before, during or after separation or divorce. It is a voluntary and confidential process in a safe environment where you can talk about the issues, hopes, concerns and needs of each other and your children. Our experienced Mediator will help you explore options and help you check if suggestions made can work on a practical level. The Mediator will not advise you what to do, or offer counselling. We help you reach an outcome that is under your control. It is quicker than going to court and a lot cheaper both financially and emotionally. A typical property and finance dispute in court can run into tens of thousands. Mediation is a fraction of the cost and done at your pace.
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How does Mediation work?
The Family Mediation process involves a couple working with a Mediator. There are 3 stages:
Stage 1
Mediation Inital Assessment Meeting or MIAMs - An on-screen meeting lasting about an hour to one and a half hours. You both attend separate MIAMs meetings so you can ask questions or raise issues that you might not want to ask about in front of the other person. The Mediator will explain the process and help assess if your case is suitable for mediation. You can then make an informed decision if mediation is right for you. Mediation will only progress if you both wish to proceed to the next step.
Stage 2
Mediation Meetings (normally between 2-5 meetings) – In the first session you come together and make an agenda to discuss what matters you wish to mediate on. The first and subsequent meetings last about an hour and a half to two hours. During the mediation sessions, you may be given tasks to perform between meetings - such as obtaining financial information or trying a pattern of contact to see if it works. In property and finance matters, an Open Financial Statement is prepared dealing with your financial disclosure.
Stage 3
End of the Mediation - If you need a document setting out your proposals, you can have a formal document drawn up called a "Memorandum of Understanding" or a "Co-Parenting plan" setting out the proposals you have reached. Your solicitors can turn them into a Consent Order, if one is needed.
Stage 1
Mediation Inital Assessment Meeting or MIAMs - An on-screen meeting lasting about an hour to one and a half hours. You both attend separate MIAMs meetings so you can ask questions or raise issues that you might not want to ask about in front of the other person. The Mediator will explain the process and help assess if your case is suitable for mediation. You can then make an informed decision if mediation is right for you. Mediation will only progress if you both wish to proceed to the next step.
Stage 2
Mediation Meetings (normally between 2-5 meetings) – In the first session you come together and make an agenda to discuss what matters you wish to mediate on. The first and subsequent meetings last about an hour and a half to two hours. During the mediation sessions, you may be given tasks to perform between meetings - such as obtaining financial information or trying a pattern of contact to see if it works. In property and finance matters, an Open Financial Statement is prepared dealing with your financial disclosure.
Stage 3
End of the Mediation - If you need a document setting out your proposals, you can have a formal document drawn up called a "Memorandum of Understanding" or a "Co-Parenting plan" setting out the proposals you have reached. Your solicitors can turn them into a Consent Order, if one is needed.
What is a MIAM's meeting?
Since 22 April 2014, most divorcing and separating couples in England and Wales who want to use the court process to resolve any questions about children or money have to show that they have attended a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before they can apply for a court order. A MIAM is a meeting with a specially qualified mediator to help you decide if there are alternatives to the court process in your case. Our mediators will provide information about options available to you to resolve the issues around your separation, and will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each option. The mediator will also ask questions, and make an assessment to decide whether or not mediation is a suitable way forward for you in your own particular circumstances.
The MIAMs meeting is held virtually on video via Zoom, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts or Apple FaceTime. We are flexible and we can also offer evening or weekend appointments to fit in with your commitments.
As an Accredited Mediator, Geraldine can sign court forms in the event you do not wish to use mediation or if the other party does not wish to attend. There is no extra charge for signing the court form - it is covered in the cost of the MIAMs meeting.
The MIAMs meeting is held virtually on video via Zoom, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts or Apple FaceTime. We are flexible and we can also offer evening or weekend appointments to fit in with your commitments.
As an Accredited Mediator, Geraldine can sign court forms in the event you do not wish to use mediation or if the other party does not wish to attend. There is no extra charge for signing the court form - it is covered in the cost of the MIAMs meeting.
Do I have to be in the same room for a mediation?
No, it's your choice.
Mediation meetings can be done in person at one of our offices, or it can be done even if you are in different parts of the country or the world, using Zoom, WhatsApp, Google Hangouts or Apple FaceTime.
We appreciate it is a difficult time for you both and often people do not want to be in the same room or see each other on screen. The most common model of mediation is a face to face meeting, but, if you prefer, a shuttle mediation model can be used. That way you are in a different room if we are in person or in 'breakout rooms' if we are having an Zoom meeting. You will not have to see or hear the other party. You would both be in the same building or on the Zoom call at the same time but in different rooms/breakout rooms and your mediator will shuttle between the two of you and convey information as if you were in the same room. This model takes a little longer. If you attend an office in person safety precautions will be set up so you arrive and leave at different times to avoid you bumping into each other. This model is also used where there are orders or bail conditions in place or you just do not feel comfortable talking about difficult subjects.