The most commonly asked questions explained. Read on to find out more.
Mediation is a neutral place for separating or divorcing parents to discuss the obstacles which still hold them together. Most commonly these are children, money and property.
Mediation is not a relationship counselling service, but a way for former partners to amicably divide their assets and children’s access without needing to involve the time and expense of courts and judges who may not fully understand the situation.
The system is self-referred.
To discuss your mediation needs just call us. We offer pre-mediation advice for just the price of the phone call which will help you decide if mediation is suitable for you.
Who makes the decision around your child when you separate? Mediation helps couples work out a plan
Legal Advice is always useful when participating in mediation but you do not need a solicitor to represent you in the process.
Mediation can aid you to restore/retain a functioning relationship with the other party and can encourage a more positive co-parenting relationship if you have children.
Mediation is much faster as well as less expensive than court process, monetarily and also mentally, and allows you to remain in control of the decisions influencing your future.
The Mediator can offer you more structure to you discussions and offer ideas and suggestion as well as providing information to aid both parties to reach an acceptable solution.
Family mediation is a mechanism in which disputes with an ex-partner are resolved in relation to problems associated with your family this can be child related or financial or both. An neutral family Mediator helps with conversations between you as your ex-partner about these problems and deals with you to get a mutually acceptable result.
Yes, with both moms and dads’ permission, a child can be talked with by a qualified youngster specialist. The kid expert will speak with your youngster as part of the procedure, depending, where ideal, on the age of your child( ren) and also the circumstances of your situation. All events to the system need to be in agreement. Child examination can be a reliable means to permit your youngster to talk
Yes. By law, you do have to disclose your full financial situation, but unless you choose to make the outcome a legally binding document, the mediation agreement remains confidential
We can sustain you with a selection of methods, consisting of household treatment or official court proceedings, if you have problems with your ex-partner in connection with accessibility to your youngsters.
Can I go by myself? Usually, there is an initial, information gathering meeting between the mediator and each party individually. After this, every meeting needs both yourself and your ex present in addition to the mediator. If you want an additional supporter at any of the meetings, your ex will need to agree to this.
Shared treatment or shared parenting does not inherently indicate that a child spends the same time with each parent, yet rather that both moms and dads play an active role in the everyday life of a youngster. In English regulation, the assumption is that kids need to spend considerable amounts of time offering that it is healthy and balanced for them to do so with as well as moms and dad.
The procedure size depends significantly on the variety of sessions needed as well as the time between sessions. The examination stage and afterwards 2 or 3 mediations lasting between 60-90 minutes, 3-4 weeks apart, will certainly be a basic process. Nonetheless, we have the ability to work flexibly with you to accomplish the requirements of your situation.
Usually, family members arbitration requires you being in the very same room as the mediator and the other group. Arbitration will, nevertheless, take place with you and also the various other party being in different rooms on a shuttle basis in particular cases. Our conciliators might discover this as a choice at the analysis (MIAMS) phase of the process, if possible. In a different location to the ot, we will schedule you to wait
No, a mediator is completely neutral. You are encouraged to seek legal advice through a solicitor in conjunction with your mediation sessions to ensure the terms you have reached are suitable for your requirements.
We would typically see you as well as the various other event individually and after that we would establish a joint session if arbitration was to be refined. If either of you are incapable to take part in the substantive mediation process or our arbitrator believes that your problems or your conditions mean that arbitration is not adequate, then we can authorize the Court kinds as qualified arbitrators, the Type A or the C100 form that you desire
An agreement reached through mediation is not legally binding. It relies on both parties standing by the agreed terms. This does not affect your legal rights. If you prefer, the mediation agreement can be taken to a solicitor to be drawn up as a legal document. Alternatively, the case can be put before the judge if mediation does not work for you.
A confidential method is arbitration. Discussions that happen during sessions of assessment can not be referred to in the Court. This is specified as “without prejudice” in legal terms. In the arbitration procedure, once we get to a negotiation, our mediators can prepare a Memorandum of Comprehending, which is a file that resolves the issue and discovers consensus.
Arbitration is not a choice to guidance on legal problems. Our arbitrators are knowledgeable family members lawyers and also, therefore, we have sound and also clear working expertise of the law and also legal procedures that are relevant when options are thought about. Nonetheless, we advise that you seek advice in between sessions from a solicitor.
Agreements made voluntarily by both parties tend to reflect the needs of everybody, more so than court orders. Because both parties are involved in drawing up the agreement, both parties are more likely to stick to the result.
Mediators are specially trained to ensure both parties get their full say and are happy with the resulting agreement. They do not take sides, and will not pressure one party to agree to something they are not happy with. If property and financial matters are being discussed, the mediator will recommend each party contact their solicitor for full legal advice before the final agreement is signed.
It is important to know that not all meditation cases are eligible for legal aid. Examples of such incidents include a divorce case with financial disagreements, Child visit arrangements not going according to plan and family breakdown disputes that lead to court.
However, at your first meditation information and assessment meeting, the mediator will explain in depth what issues require meditation services and what free family mediation services you may be eligible for.
Legal aid is, however, available if you can prove that you are at risk or have exposure to physical abuse. As for your child, the main dispute concern is the risk of exploitation from someone else. In all legal disputes, word of mouth or allegations are not enough; you have to provide evidence of risk to physical abuse for you or your child.
The evidence you provide has to be acceptable to the ministry of justice.
The legislation particularly defines that you need to attend a mediation understanding as well as assessment conference prior to providing an application under the Youngster Arrangements Program or an ask for economic remedy pursuant to divorce or civil union dissolution under such special conditions.
Even if previous attempts at resolution have failed, trained mediators can succeed due to their neutral and professional approach. If your ex fails to turn up, the mediator will write to them to explain the purpose of the mediation. Sometimes your ex may need an initial meeting by themselves to reassure them of the benefits of mediation.
Legally aided meditation is a service provided by the government, and it covers the cost of acquiring an expert meditation service. The assistance applies mainly to families involved in disputes.
Legal Aid requires individuals involved in the conflict to provide evidence of their present financial circumstances. The presentation of proof allows you to qualify for Legal Aided Meditation.
Upon eligibility, legal aid covers all your meditation costs along with Meditation information and assessment meetings (MIAM) which are initial meditation meetings. The legal aid fee also caters for the other individual MIAM meeting if they are not eligible.
Is there evidence required?
For an individual to be eligible for Legal Aid, there has to be a proof of evidence of your current financial circumstance. You are required to provide the following during your first Meditation Information and assessment meetings.
National insurance number.
Estimate value of your capital assets and this includes your home and other property.
A bank statement that covers all the first four sessions with your mediator.
Proof of income as an employee and this is mainly a payslip.
If self-employed, your tax returns and most recent accounts.
If you receive benefits, then a current entitlement letter dated within the previous six months is appropriate.
The first step to acquiring access to Legal Aid is for the mediator to fill in a form known as CIVMEANS7 during your first MIAM meeting. After which you then date and sign it. The form assists in calculating your income and outgoings.
You gain access only if you meet the following eligibility criteria:
You obtain income support, pension guarantee credit, Universal credit card and income based ESA. You live alone, and your household income is below £ 17000 p.a. You live with dependent children or/and a partner with a household income of below £ 21,000 p.a.