Providing families with an affordable, appropriate & effective alternative to court.
How Does Mediation Work?
Step One
Step Three
Step One
Book initial meeting with Mediator
The initial meeting is called a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
A MIAM is a short meeting that provides information about mediation and other methods of non-court dispute resolution, as options for resolving disputes.
The other participant will need to see the mediator too. They can either come to the same MIAM as you or have a separate meeting with the mediator.
If you or the other participant want to go to court you must attend a MIAM, unless you're exempt.
The initial meeting is conducted by a trained mediator who will consider and explain:
- how mediation works
- the potential benefits
- whether it's right for you
- the likely costs
- if you're eligible for mediation through legal aid
- other options available to you
- different methods of non-court dispute resolution
If you apply to court only mediators authorised by the Family Mediation Council can carry out a MIAM.
Step Two
Step Three
Step One
Attend mediation sessions
Mediation sessions are run by a trained independent mediator who help you try to reach an agreement without going to court.
The mediator will help you to work out arrangements with the other participant (e.g. an ex-partner) concerning children, finance or property.
Each session lasts about 90 minutes
You can choose to have mediation:
- in the same room
- via video call
- in different rooms (shuttle mediation)
- on different days
It isn't relationship counselling and you don't have to be in the same room as the other parent.
The mediator is there to help you work through disagreements and find solutions that work for you both and explain how to make the agreement you reach legally binding, should you wish to do so.
Step Three
Step Three
If you cannot agree on everything
Get agreement in writing
If you both reach an agreement the mediator can prepare a Statement of Outcome
Open Financial Statement or Memorandum of Understanding.
These are not legally binding but are flexible so you can both agree to update if your situation changes.
Your mediator will explain to you how to obtain legal advice about any proposals the two of you have produced together and how you may convert them into a legally binding agreement and/or a court order.
Making your agreement legally binding
You can make it legally binding by getting a solicitor to draft a consent order for a court to approve after mediation.
This can be useful if your arrangements are long and complex or you think you need a more formal agreement with the other participant.
If you cannot agree on everything
If you cannot agree on everything
If you cannot agree on everything
You can ask a court to decide anything you cannot agree after using a mediator or getting other help.
You must show you’ve attended a meeting to see if mediation is right for you before applying to a court. You will not have to in certain cases, for example if there’s been domestic abuse or social services are involved.
If you have not been able to find any mutually acceptable proposals, your mediator will explain to you what your options are at this stage, including negotiation through other means, arbitration and court proceedings.
Even where mediation does not succeed, it may be able to help by giving you a better idea of what your family’s real issues and options are, and by giving each of you an opportunity to hear directly from the other person involved.
Useful Information
If you cannot agree on everything
Useful Information
Please read the UK Government's Family Mediation Leaflet
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a800f33ed915d74e33f834d/family-mediation-leaflet.pdf
for What you need to know watch this Video
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If you cannot agree on everything
Useful Information
