Family Mediation

Specialist family & divorce mediation solicitors

Family mediations are held in a safe environment; with choice, impartiality, confidentiality & decision-making to you both, rather than an outcome imposed on you by a Judge, who doesn’t know you or your family.  Family mediation is also cheaper and quicker than the court process.

What is family mediation?

Family mediation is a form of Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR) which are all processes used to resolve a dispute that avoid going through the court process. Other forms of NCDR include:

• Arbitration
• Private FDR hearings
• Collaborative law.

Family and divorce mediation is where you and your partner will have meetings with a Mediator to discuss whatever aspects of your case you cannot agree on whether that is financial arrangements, care of the children or both.  The negotiations are Without Prejudice.  This allows you both to make proposals, discuss options and offer compromises without the fear that these suggestions will be repeated in Court, should you be unable to reach an agreement.  Having said that, when discussing matters concerning children, such negotiations are never Without Prejudice.

Mediation enables you to remain in control;  you cannot be forced to agree to anything, and you can call a halt to the process or the session whenever you wish.  The mediation sessions can be conducted via Zoom if that is easier for you, although we recommend you and your ex are not in the same home when attending the session.

If you reach an agreement with the other person, your mediator will explain how this agreement can be made legally binding. If mediation breaks down or you cannot come to a mutually agreeable resolution, the mediator will discuss with you the other options regarding a resolution such as Arbitration or court.

Separating couples should consider trying to agree on matters via mediation because of the many advantages of taking court action. In most cases you will, in any case, be expected to take initial steps to find out about mediation before you can start court proceedings – but you cannot be forced to go down this route. It’s important to bear in mind that even if you would prefer mediation, your ex may resist – in which case it is not an option (unless they change their mind).

What’s the benefit of family law mediation?

Mediation is all about maintaining communication and working to resolve issues directly with the help of a neutral, impartial mediator. The key benefits of family mediation include:

• Divorce mediation is significantly cheaper than going to court
• It is far quicker and less stressful than going to court
• You maintain control, rather than relinquishing control to a family Judge who makes the final decisions.
• Mediation takes place in a safe environment. This means you do not even have to be in the same room as the other party if you feel unsafe.
• Mediation is a flexible process. Court proceedings are inflexible with strict rules as to the process and the deadlines.

What can I expect from a mediation session?

In our role as Family Mediators, we are neutral and we will not take sides. We are there to facilitate discussions.  Generally, Divorce Mediators cannot give advice to either of you. They will usually recommend that you obtain legal advice during the mediation process. However, as Resolution-trained lawyer mediators, we can provide general legal information to both of you within the mediation if this is appropriate.

When should family mediation be used?

Mediation should be considered as an option when the parties have a genuine desire to settle their dispute. It is also useful when parties are likely to remain in contact with each other after the dispute is resolved.

Who pays the mediation costs?

Usually, the two parties involved in the mediation process are responsible for sharing the costs, they would typically pay 50% each.

Why choose the family mediation solicitors at Osbornes Law?

• Seven of our leading family partners – Lisa Pepper, Lauren Hall, Andrew Watson, Martin Ross, Bridget Thompson, David Leadercramer, and Mark Freedman are Resolution Trained Lawyer Mediators.
• Lisa Pepper is ranked in Chambers UK as a leading family mediator in London specialising in HNW divorces where there are significant international assets.
• David Leadercramer and Lisa Pepper are also ranked in the Legal 500 as being leading family mediators in London
• Bridget and Lisa Pepper are also able to conduct Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs).
• David Leadercramer is a qualified Arbitrator and Private FDR Judge.

Our mediators charges start from £380 (plus VAT) per hour.

What are Family Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs)?

It is compulsory for the majority of couples seeking a divorce or separation to attend a MIAM, the aim of which is to ascertain whether mediation is appropriate in your circumstances.

At a MIAM, Bridget, Lauren, or Lisa will speak to you about the process to ensure you understand how it works. They will then contact your partner and have the same conversation with them. Sometimes this is face to face and sometimes on the telephone. If your partner refuses to engage in the discussion or tells us they do not wish to mediate, we can then sign your Application to commence the court process.

For an individual, Bridget charges £250+ VAT, Lauren charges £250+ VAT and Lisa charges £350+ VAT for a MIAM.

What is remote family mediation?

Our team of mediators at Osbornes Law will use Zoom which will allow the mediator to bring people together in a virtual meeting room and/or speak to you individually in separate rooms. Only the participants in the mediation and those who have signed an agreement to mediate will be present.

Family & divorce mediation near me

Lisa Pepper, Bridget Thompson and Andrew Watson are members of the Family Mediation Council (FMC). The FMC is a not-for-profit organisation that maintains a professional register of family mediators. All FMC Registered Mediators are trained to the Council’s set standard and follow the FMC’s Code of Practice.

• Read our blog post Mediation or Arbitration: What’s best for me?