Both parents are encouraged to set the agenda for discussions.  The mediator will ensure that each parent receives the opportunity to speak and to be listened to, while remaining focused on the needs of their children.

Mediation facilitates parents to generate and explore options before making any final decisions.  It can be beneficial to put interim arrangements in place initially, giving parents the chance to put their options into practice and make any amendments while they are in the mediation process.

In Child Mediation, we remind parents that although they may be separating, they will always remain parents.  As mediators, we believe you are the best people to decide your children’s future and mediation can provide the forum for this.

We remind parents that while a Court Order will set out the arrangements for children, it might not address how they are going to manage these arrangements moving forward, or the possible impact that they may have on the children.

Entrenchment can obstruct parents from making progress in working together and cooperating.  It is about supporting you both in taking steps forward rather than standing still or moving backwards!

We will explain the necessity of full financial disclosure to each of you in the MIAM and guide you through our Information Pack for Financial Mediation.

At the beginning of the mediation an agenda for discussions is set.

We will enable you to generate and explore options regarding your goals for the future, incorporating your financial plans.

We will clarify when independent professional advice may be necessary during the mediation process, enabling the making of fully informed decisions.

It is our intention to provide a calm, non- judgemental atmosphere in which to negotiate.

We are accredited by the Family Mediation Council to provide Child Inclusive Mediation. With the written consent of both parents, children over the age of 6 years can be given the opportunity to speak with the mediator.

‘Child inclusive mediation provides opportunities for children and young people to have their voices heard during the process of mediation, to help them feel respected and listened to and, at their request to assist parents or carers to receive, understand and take account of the child’s message and /or suggestions regarding their decisions and arrangements for the child’ CIM, FMC Code of Practice s 5.7.2

Unless specified exemptions apply, if you are intending to make an application to the Court concerning arrangements for children or finances on divorce, you will need to have attended a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) within the four months preceding the making of your application.

Information about MIAM exemptions can be found on the Family Mediation Council’s website.

Legal Aid is potentially available for mediation if you prove financial eligibility and provide the required evidence. However, we do not offer a Legal Aid service.

There are various ways to ensure that the decisions you reach within mediation can become legally binding.

You may wish to incorporate your decisions in a formal agreement prepared by a solicitor.  In the event of there being Court proceedings, you might wish to ask the Court to make an order in accordance with the decisions you have reached.  Some people simply ask their solicitors to exchange letters confirming that they treat themselves as legally bound.

All of these options will be considered within the Mediation process.

The fees for a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) are £100.

The fees for Family Mediation thereafter are £100 per person per hour.

You will not be charged VAT.

Our fee will include the cost of a session summary that will be emailed to clients as a reminder of their discussions at the session.

A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) usually takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour.

Mediation sessions thereafter usually last between 60 minutes to 90 minutes and clients generally attend 1 – 3 Mediation sessions.