It is a fast and cost effective way of achieving agreement between separating couples on financial matters and issues affecting the future of their children.

The Mediator will help couples to consider all of the various options but will not take sides nor impose decisions upon them. She will listen to both views, encourage fair discussion and manage the meetings to help achieve a satisfactory outcome for both parties.

What are the advantages: It is a cheaper, quicker and less stressful alternative to Court proceedings. The parties are in control of the outcome.

What can be discussed at Mediation:

The couples set the agenda but typically people want to talk about:

• Where everyone is going to live
  
• What’s going to happen to the house
  
• How are savings, pensions and debts going to be sorted out
  
• How much maintenance, if any, is going to be paid
  
• What are the arrangements for care of the children going to be
  

How does it work:

1. Each of you will attend a separate meeting to find out about mediation, establish what you wish to achieve and for me to answer your questions.
   
2. If you both wish to go ahead with mediation a meeting of 1 ½ hours will be arranged for you to attend together. Generally 2 – 4 meetings are needed.
   
3. You will be encouraged to obtain legal advice from a solicitor between meetings.
   
4. At the end of the mediation process a final document is produced setting out your joint proposals.
   
5. If the issues discussed relate to financial matters, the joint proposals can be converted into a consent order by your solicitor to be put before the court for a final and legally binding order to be made.