THE MEDIATION TEAM

OUR TEAM

Our highly experienced family team also undertakes private family mediation.

Mediation is an alternative to court and a way of reducing conflict for couples who are separating or divorcing. In a meeting or series of meetings, impartial, independent mediators help the couple to reach agreement over children, money, property and any other areas of dispute. Mediated agreements can be made into legally binding documents, and often it may be useful to get legal advice during the mediation process – we will always tell you when that is the case. We follow the Resolution and Family Mediators Association Codes of Practice in both our Family Law work and in mediation.

The Mediation department is currently run by Lucy Verity who is assisted by Margaret Sullivan.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Any matter relating to family affairs, whether or not you are married, may be appropriate for mediation. If you want to take legal action against a former spouse or partner over children or financial matters, you are now required by law, as a minimum, to attend an MIAM (mediation information and assessment meeting) first.

During a MIAM the mediator will explain what mediation is and gather initial information to determine whether your situation is suitable for mediation. Where finance and property are involved, you will need to collect all the information and documents for mediation to proceed. It may be possible to go straight from the assessment meeting into mediation, or book further sessions, which usually last around an hour and a half each. Mediation relating to children can often be concluded in three sessions; financial mediation may take four or five.

Family mediation can be a much less stressful way to move forward if you’ve decided to separate from your partner. The video below was created by the Ministry of Justice to explain just how mediation can help.

FUNDING YOUR MEDIATION

If you qualify for legal aid, you are entitled to free mediation. If you qualify financially you will also be eligible for limited free legal advice from a lawyer in connection with mediation. If mediation breaks down and a financial dispute goes to court, you will not have to pay back mediation funding to the Legal Aid Agency. If your case involves child abduction you will be entitled to legal aid for mediation regardless of your means.

Our fees for mediation are available on request.

If you have a mediation matter that we can assist you with, contact us on 020 3207 2074 or by email at postroom@philcoxgray.co.uk.