Who are Aurora Family Mediation?Call: 01462 429735

and 07551 909509

Aurora Family Mediation is a specialist lawyer family mediation practice.  We work with couples helping them resolve all issues arising from separation or divorce especially regarding arrangements for children and finances.  

We care about providing a quality service to clients.  We are family mediation specialists who adhere to the highest standards, which with our legal expertise, gives you the best chance of reaching a reasonable amicable resolution.

As lawyer mediators it is our knowledge of family law and the legal process combined with our efficient focused mediation service that makes us unique.

As mediators we have the benefit of calling on professionals from other disciplines including accountants, surveyors, independent financial advisors or counsellors, where it would be beneficial to help resolve issues.

We now offer legal aid to family mediation clients who qualify for public funding.  Contact us and we can discuss this with you.

About Nicolette Zarka

Nicolette Zarka is the founder of  Aurora Family Mediation. She has more than 15 years experience as a family mediator and has been a qualified family law and divorce solicitor for over 22 years.  

Nicolette has numerous qualifications: she is an accredited Resolution mediator and a member of the FMA,  a Resolution accredited specialist, former Law society family panel member and former member of the children panel.  Nicolette is recognised to carry out legal aid mediations. Nicolette is an FMC Accredited mediator ("FMCA").  Nicolette is also approved as a  civil commercial mediator through ADR Group.

As well as being professional practice consultant for other mediators  Nicolette  is approved to carry out ‘direct consultation’ with children where parents feel this would be helpful.

Nicolette is committed to providing a quick efficient and quality service for her clients allowing them to resolve issues in the best and most amicable way possible. Nicolette says:

 ‘ I decided to set up Aurora family mediation when I saw the real benefit to my clients when they received legal information  during mediation sessions.  I can deal with booking appointments and provide quality input quickly. More and more clients want to obtain information together and don’t know where to go for this.  Many clients are worried about the cost of separating.  Mediation provides a way of working out arrangements for children and finances.  Many clients resolve their arrangements without going to court with high quality input at the right time together with guidance on structuring discussions which helps couples to move on and work arrangements out between them. Significantly, they do this with reduced stress and upset.  This is because mediation can help them talk at an earlier stage and deal with things more amicably.  Discussions in mediation are held in private and all information is treated confidentially. I hope that my experience in the field of family law in a variety of situations will assist my mediation clients in coming to a resolution which they feel  is right for them’

About Alison Pate

Alison Pate  joined Aurora Family Mediation in October 2014. She  is a qualified solicitor, accredited by Resolution, with over 16 years experience working in family law and has a wide breadth of experience dealing with divorce, financial, children and partnership matters. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor Alison was employed in many different roles in both the private and public sector

Alison completed her Mediation training in 2012 and is now building up her Mediation practice. Alison is a Family Mediation Council Accredited mediator.

Alison is committed to providing excellent client services and believes that Mediation is one of the best ways forward for people to resolve the issues which need to be dealt with when a relationship breaks down, allowing them to reach their own agreements rather than have a Court, for example, make these far reaching decisions for them. 

About Joy Burden

Joy Burden  has been working with Aurora since October 2017.  Joy has over 13 years of experience as an accredited family mediator having previously run her own successful mediation business for a number of years. Joys is FMC accredited. Joy has now returned to family mediation after a short period of absence. Joy also volunteers as an advisor at the Citizens Advice Bureau. Prior to becoming a mediator, Joy was a Solicitor and worked both in private practice and Government Legal Service. Joy is passionate about the importance of effective communication to foster understanding and agreement particularly in the mediation environment. Joy sees clients in St Albans and Luton.

Why choose us?

At Aurora family mediation we provide a completely personal service. We understand that no two couples will be in exactly the same position and have exactly the same problems. We know that you will both be having a difficult and upsetting time and we will work with you to find the best solution for you, in the most timely and cost effective way.

As mediators who are also qualified lawyers we are in the unique position to be able to provide you with not only the best mediation service but combine it with our knowledge of the legal areas surrounding separation. Aurora family mediation is completely customer focused.  Once you have decided you wish to proceed we offer a speedy first appointment and an efficient service.  Our Head Office is based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire we can also offer you out of hours and weekend appointments in a location near to your home.  We regularly see people in Hitchin, Letchworth, Harpenden, St Albans, Hatfield, Watford, Welwyn Garden City, Finchley, Bedford, Luton, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Harlow and Northampton.