Every participant (with some exceptions) will first attend a mediation assessment with a mediator where information about the mediation process is provided, so that you understand how it works, and the mediator has opportunity to assess whether mediation would be suitable. The appointment will last about an hour and can be conducted face to face or remotely.

Contact Us for an appointment with Louise.

Where the parties are willing and the mediation is suitable, you enter into an Agreement to Mediate showing your understanding and commitment to the mediation process and what it entails. This document sets down the principles of mediation and is signed by everyone including the mediator.

Joint sessions of mediation take place either in person or online, both of which provide a safe and secure environment you can meet and talk.

Sessions usually last for a duration of 1.5 hours. This might seem like a long time at first, however, real progress can be made in this time. You will probably have a between 3 and 5 mediation sessions, spaced over a timescale suitable to you.

During the process the Family Mediator is neutral and even-handed and will help you to have a conversation about what’s important to you and your family. The process encourages respect and active listening to help the parties understand both sets of priorities and to look to the future.

Mediation is voluntary which means that you (and the mediator) can choose to close the sessions or take a break. The confidential and privileged nature of the discussions mean that you can speak freely and would only be committed to an agreement when you are both satisfied with the decisions you have reached, at which time it will be recommended that you take the proposals to your solicitor to complete the legal formalities.

You can consult your own lawyer at any time for legal advice. It is not the role of the family mediator to advise you, and the mediator will specifically not provide any legal advice.

We may recommend that your matter is conducted as a co-mediation which means that there will be two mediators for the price of one. We do this when mediation is conducted in separate spaces (‘shuttled’), and if your matter is funded by Legal Aid or Mediation Voucher Scheme (where there are children issues). We regularly work alongside talented mediators in this way.

• What is family mediation?
• How does family mediation work?
• Who is family mediation for?
• How much does family mediation cost?
• Family Mediation Questions