What is mediation?
Mediation is an informal process to assist couples to communicate with each other and to reach informed decisions about their finances, their children or any other matters. It is a voluntary and informal alternative to court proceedings. Meetings take place with one or two trained and neutral mediators who will act as facilitators and will assist you and your partner to try to resolve any dispute that has arisen. Most couples need between three and six mediation sessions to come to a set of proposals. The sessions usually last for one and a half hours.
Mediation can be a very quick and cost-effective way to resolve issues since you pay for the mediation sessions jointly, rather than each paying a solicitor separately to handle their divorce through the court process.
It is never too late to start mediation, even if Court proceedings are already underway. Courts like parties to try Mediation.
The benefits of family mediation:
- You retain control over decisions affecting your future.
- Mediation can occur quickly and at short notice.
- Mediators can suggest practical solutions that a Judge could not suggest or impose.
- Mediation is much cheaper than going to Court.
- Mediation removes much of unpleasantness that can be attached to Court proceedings.
- The success rate for cases settling is very high.
- Experience shows that parties are much happier with a mediated settlement because they have taken part in the process.
