How Mediation Works
There are four stages
1. The free phone call
2. The initial assessment meeting - which is an individual meeting
3. Mediation sessions - these are joint meetings
4. The conclusion - any agreed proposals are written up for you
1.
Free 10 minute Phone Call
If you want to find out more, you can have a free short telephone call. If you decide to go ahead, you can book your first meeting online.
2.
Initial Separate Meeting
You attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) on your own for up to an hour; your mediator will listen to you and give you information so that you can find out about the mediation process & other routes, and to help you to find out if mediation is right for you
Your ex partner should also be given the opportunity to attend. You can contact them and ask them to contact us, or we can contact them and invite them to attend the same type of meeting
3.
Joint Mediation Sessions
Next, if the mediator and both parties agree that mediation is appropriate, we can proceed with joint mediation meetings. They usually lasting 1½ - 2 hours. These are attended by both parties
At the meetings, your mediator will listen to you both and help you to settle your differences
You might also decide that you would like to arrange co-parenting support
4.
Written Proposals or Parenting Plan
After mediation concludes, your mediator will produce documents outlining any agreed proposals made in the meeting.
These can then be taken to your lawyer to turn into a consent order
Number of Meetings
The number of meetings will depend on how complicated your issues are but will generally be between 2 and 4 sessions for financial matters and 1-2 where child only issues are discussed
Court Forms
If you do not reach an agreement or either one of you decides not to mediate, your mediator can sign the relevant court form so that you can issue court proceedings should you want to
Please note: The meetings are confidential and cannot be used in any legal proceedings and your attendance is totally voluntary