Mediation
During the first meeting one of our aims will be to establish with you whether you wish to mediate with your spouse/partner. If it is a suitable case for mediation and you wish to mediate we will establish whether your spouse/partner wishes to mediate.
Mediation is an alternative means for couples to resolve problems following the breakdown of their relationship. The key points of Mediation are:
- It is non-adversarial. Both of you are partners in the decision making.
- It is voluntary. You must both agree on solutions or there is no agreement and either of you can leave the Mediation process at any time should you be dissatisfied with it.
- It helps to clarify areas of conflict. We may be able to identify and help you limit the areas of conflict in order to discuss matters productively.
- It is future focused. We will help you, through the process of mutual negotiations, to identify the options available to you for the future.
- It is anti-competitive. The Family Mediation process is designed to eliminate any competitive atmosphere. Since the process is mutual you cannot win at the others expense. Neither can you lose. You must both come out of it with a settlement acceptable to you and controlled by both of you.
- It gives you power. You control the issues to be addressed and you make the decisions over your own lives. You do not have decisions imposed on you by outside sources.
- It is best for your children. The Mediation process places children at the centre and reminds you that you are both parents of your children and will have a continuing role of responsibility and relationship as parents even when your relationship as partners comes to an end.
- It is cheaper. If agreement can be reached between you in Mediation it is likely to be a far cheaper process than fighting through the Courts and/or negotiation through solicitors.