Family Mediation Solicitor in Essex
Our family mediator has almost 20 years’ experience as a family solicitor and qualified as a mediator in 2015, she has a wealth of experience in helping people dealing with separation issues. As a lawyer she understands the complexities of the court process and legal issues but looks to resolve issues in a non-confrontational way and avoid the stress of litigation for those involved where possible.
What is Family Mediation?
Family Mediation is a process where a neutral third party, “the mediator”, helps individuals (often separating or divorcing couples) resolve disputes in a calm and co-operative way.
The purpose of Family Mediation is to help the parties to communicate effectively to enable them to reach a mutual agreement on issues such as arrangements for children, property and financial matters as well as any other issues on separation. Family Mediation helps to avoid the stress and delays of going to court and is a more cost-effective way of dealing with matters.
Family Mediation is a voluntary process. The mediator is impartial and is there to help guide you in your discussions during the meetings. All matters discussed in mediation are private and confidential to the parties. The goal is to find a practical and fair outcome that works for everyone involved.
Benefits of Family Mediation
- Cost effective – Mediation is usually much cheaper than correspondence between solicitors and/or going to court.
- Faster resolution – disputes can often be resolved in a few sessions, compared to months or years in the court process.
- Less stressful – the process is more informal and less confrontational, reducing the emotional strain.
- Confidential – Mediation is private, unlike court proceedings which can be part of the public record.
- Control over the outcome – the parties make their own decisions rather than a Judge imposing a ruling.
- Improved communication – the mediator helps parties to talk constructively, which can improve understanding and reduce conflict.
Family Mediation Enquiry
Fill out the form and a member of our team will get in touch to discuss how we can help.
The Family Mediation Process
Mediation is facilitated by a professional mediator that is trained to find common ground and workable solutions. Mediation allows the parties to make decisions for themselves and to hopefully avoid costly court proceedings. The mediator can discuss various options and also explain further steps you can take to ensure that the agreement you reach is legally binding.
Importance of mediation before court proceedings
What is MIAM?
We have a video on family mediation: How Can Family Mediation Help You? | Mullis & Peake
A MIAM is a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. The MIAM is attended individually with the mediator first before any joint sessions are arranged.
The meeting is usually around 30-40 minutes and is designed to enable the parties to find out more about the mediation process and gives the mediator the chance to assess whether mediation is suitable for your situation.
Issues Addressed in Family Mediation
- Child Related Issues such as living and spending time arrangements, schooling, holidays and travel plans
- Financial matters such as the division of assets, debts and liabilities, spousal maintenance/child maintenance
- Property disputes, including those under TOLATA
- Financial disclosure
- Practicalities around separation
- Anything specific to the parties that requires discussion and resolution
The Family Mediation Process
The aim of a family mediator is to help find a practical solution to a dispute between two parties where the relationship has broken down. The mediator will ask questions to understand the situation and work with you to try and resolve the issues. In many situations working with a mediator can avoid contested court proceedings and improve communication between the parties.
Why use legal mediation services for divorce?
If you are in the process of a divorce or separation, you won’t always understand the process or what is required to settle issues between you. Mediation considers what is important to you and your individual circumstances.
Family Mediation offers several practical, emotional and financial advantages. The mediation process has many benefits:
- Reduces conflict between the parties
- Saves time and money
- Gives you control
- Confidential process
- Improves communication
When is Family Mediation Not Suitable?
Why Choose Mullis & Peake for Family Mediation Services?
Jessica Thrower has been working exclusively in family law for almost 20 years and, to be able to offer you the best service, she trained as a mediator in 2015, then became accredited as a Family Mediator in 2018 with FMCA status. Mediation is ideal for you if you hope to avoid the court process.
Frequently Asked Questions on Family Mediation
Mediation is a cost-effective method of resolving a dispute. We charge £175 plus VAT for the individual MIAM and £175 per person per hour for the mediation sessions.
The duration of the mediation process will depend on the individual circumstances of each case. On average most cases will require between 3-5 sessions of around 60 – 90 minutes each. The meetings are arranged based on the needs of the parties and their availability, some parties want fortnightly or monthly meetings for example. There is no restriction on how many sessions you can have.
If you think family mediation is right for you, please contact the Family team on 01708 784000 to take the first step and arrange your assessment meeting (MIAM).
It is important that you find a suitable mediator that will meet your wants and needs. Prepare a list of what you would like to achieve from the process. Think about how you are going to explain your situation to the mediator and identify the most important parts as talking points. Remember to focus on the end goal, you might not want to attend mediation but it's quicker and less costly than going to court.
Yes, if you wish for the mediation process to include discussions with the children then speak to the mediator about this. It is not always appropriate to involve the children, but the mediator will consider all options that may assist your family.
Before any application can be made to the court, you must have at least attended a MIAM to show the court that you have attempted to resolve your issues out of the court arena. In some cases, you will be exempt from attending a MIAM depending on the circumstances. If you attend your MIAM and you choose that you do not want to proceed or the mediator assesses the case not to be suitable, then the mediator will provide you with a certificate which allows you to proceed with your court application.
Yes, we can offer family mediation online by Teams.
Yes, the discussions within family mediation is confidential. There are some exemptions in respect of the financial information that you provide and the mediator will discuss this with you during the process.
Yes, family mediation is a voluntary process. The only part of mediation that is sometimes compulsory is the attendance at a MIAM. You may be exempt from attending a MIAM depending on your circumstances.
Mullis & Peake have specialists in family, TOLATA and divorce law ready to help you. Our family team offer a free 40 minute consultation. Please call 01708 784000 to book an appointment. Come and meet us and see what we have to offer.
Alternatively, request a call back to have one of our team contact you at a time that suits.
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