Mediation Services
What is
Family Mediation?
Mediation provides a way to agree your finances or arrangements for children when you separate whether you have been married or cohabiting.
Going to court is time-consuming and expensive. Mediation is being recommended more and more frequently as an alternative. It is considered to be one of the most amicable and cost-effective ways to agree on the issues surrounding separation.
A lawyer mediator can help you structure your discussions and where appropriate provide legal information about the process. This allows you to ask questions together and work out the best way forward.
Many couples who are separating want to obtain information together; as lawyer mediators we can provide this.
You can watch the Ministry of Justice helpful video here
‘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.’ Founder of Aurora, Nicolette Zarka.
Types of mediation
meetings...
Mediation between separating couples can work in several ways:
Joint Mediation – Both parties attend the same mediation session with the same mediator. We recommend joint mediation where possible as it is the most cost effective solution and normally produces quickest resolution.
Shuttle Mediation – When communication has broken down, both parties attend a mediation session at the same time but sit in separate rooms, online or in person, with the mediator ‘shuttling’ between them.
Hybrid Mediation – this is where we can hold confidences between you in separate rooms until you are closer to an agreement. Solicitors may also sometimes be present. Find out more.
Co-mediation – Both parties attend mediation sessions with two mediators being present.
It is important to choose the solution that would work best for you, if you would like to discuss the options further, do call or email us.
We normally set up an initial appointment also known as a MIAMs (Mediation information and assessment meeting). These are always held individually. We take basic background information from you at the meeting, work out what you would like to discuss and give you information about mediation and other ways of resolving arrangements on separation. You can then decide whether or not to proceed. Meetings are available Online or in-person.
What to expect from
the mediation Process
Initial meeting (also known as a ‘Miams’ meeting) – We can arrange an initial appointment with you individually. In the first meeting we will discuss the process of mediation, alternative ways of reaching agreement and how mediation would work in your situation.
In the initial meeting we will discuss whether mediation is the right solution for both of you. It is important to realize that mediation is not for everyone, and if we feel that mediation is not the best solution for you, we will advise you accordingly.
During the meeting, we would look at your aims for mediation not set goals and if you wished to proceed the Agreement to Mediate is signed.
Mediation meetings – A series of mediation meetings will follow. The number of meetings will depend on the number of issues you need to negotiate and the degree to which you are willing to compromise.
The frequency of appointments depends on the time you both need between sessions to think, check out options and gather information. The mediator will often ask you to complete tasks between mediation sessions to speed the process.
Resolution – When your issues are resolved the mediator will draw up a Memorandum of Understanding, which summarizes the proposals made. The mediator will recommend that you take the proposals to your solicitor.
We also provide mediation online...
Professional Practice
Consultancy and Mentoring
Nicolette Zarka is a professional practice consultant for other mediators. All mediators registered with the Family mediation Council (FMC) must have a Professional Practice Consultant who they will see for at least 4 hours each year. In addition, they would call on their PPC to discuss any concerns over domestic abuse or safeguarding where needed as well as general practice queries.
Nicolette is also available to offer mentoring for mediators who are completing their professional competency portfolio or who are returning to mediation after a career break and require support with their practice.
Nicolette is called upon from time to time by Law firms where there is a need for mentoring or support within their non court dispute resolution team (NCDR). Nicolette is able to visit firms or for individual mediators to visit the Hitchin office.
Call us on 01462 429735 if any of this is of interest. We are happy to tailor our services to suit you where possible.
