Act Family Law
ACT Family Law
plymouth devon

Mediation

To help you decide whether Mediation (or one of the other approaches we offer) is right for you, read this section and then contact our mediator for a free 30 minute assessment. The mediator will:

To book an assessment, quote “mediation actweb”. You must bring to the assessment:

1. a utility bill/bank statement and
2. passport or driving licence
3. a completed preliminary information form
4. a completed communication questionnaire

What is mediation?

The mediator is not allowed to prepare the final financial order although he will confirm in writing for you and your solicitor any agreement you reach. You might like to compare the Mediation process with the collaborative process.

The features and benefits of mediation

Is mediation right for you?

Family law issues are often sensitive and personal. No single approach is right for everyone. Many couples find Mediation a welcome alternative to the often destructive, uncomfortable aspects of the court process.

If these points are important to you and your partner/spouse, Mediation is likely to be worth considering:

If all this sounds and feels right for you, you and your partner should find out more from our Mediator. Please ask for our brochure and guidance notes on Mediation.

The mediation service we offer

A particular feature of the service we offer compared with some other Mediation services is that we understand in detail the full range of conflict resolution options and can carefully advise you on, and tailor, the right process (or indeed combination of processes) for you and your particular needs. This is because our mediator is also an experienced practicing family lawyer, specialist in collaborative practice, and litigator. Our mediator tailors his Mediation service to suit your particular needs and is able to work closely with you and your legal team. He knows what they will want from you.

Options include:

With or without lawyers present - Although it is not the most common scenario, you may find it helpful and reassuring for your lawyers to attend Mediation with you especially if it involves complex financial matters or where you and your partner/spouse may have reached an impasse while negotiating through your lawyers.

Working with experts - Where it is appropriate and saves costs we can work with you and your chosen experts in Mediation such as the property valuer, accountant, or financial adviser.

Whether there are court proceedings or not – Taking a break in court proceedings to mediate a difficult issue can often leave the way open for settlement without the need for further court proceedings and additional costs.

Within the collaborative process – As a Mediation practice we are able to work with you and your lawyers within the collaborative process if, for example there has been a break- down in communication within that process over one or more issues.

Our mediator

John believes in helping clients resolve matters without litigation whenever possible. He has spent many years mediating complex financial cases involving a variety of businesses, investments, trusts and pensions, and cases involving complex child arrangements.

He is on the Resolution Specialist family mediation panel and is accredited by the Legal Services Commission. He is currently involved in training other lawyers to become mediators, and a trainer with Resolution. John is the current Chairman of Resolution, Devon.

As well as being a mediator, John is also an experienced Collaborative lawyer with many successful collaborative cases to his name.

Chambers Directory to the UK Legal Profession recognises John as one of only a handful of family lawyers in the South West of England specialising in Mediation and collaborative practice.

Testimonials

John was incredibly easy to work with, and kept me informed at all stages of what was happening. His advice was invaluable, and I am indebted to him for that. The overall service certainly represents good value for money!

- Client

I would like to thank you personally, and on behalf of my client, for your proactive and approachable style that has, once again, saved time, costs and emotions. Your Mediation summaries have been concise and clear which has enabled my client to understand and be involved throughout the settlement process.

- Solicitor