Mediation

Mediation

A constructive and amicable approach

Family Mediation can help you resolve the issues surrounding your separation or divorce in a constructive and amicable way, which usually helps you both to move on with your lives in a way that traditional ways of resolving disputes cannot.

It enables you and your former spouse or partner to discuss the issues face to face, with the help of an impartial mediator who will keep the discussions constructive and focused on reaching agreements that work for you and for your children, if you have any.

It’s helpful for couples who want to reach their own solutions to the difficulties they face, as the mediator can help facilitate your discussions to achieve an amicable resolution.

Fully Qualified Family Mediators

Shelley Wales is a qualified mediator trained by the Family Mediators Association. Shelley is trained to provide integrated mediation which means that other professionals, such as solicitors or mental health professionals, can be part of the mediation process, together helping to support you in reaching an amicable resolution. Shelley is also a qualified solicitor who has specialised in all areas of family law since 2001 and is committed to helping couples resolve their issues in a way that allows them to move forward with more clarity, insight, and understanding.

Mediation is usually a cheaper and quicker process than going through the courts, we do however recommend that each party retain separate solicitors to provide legal advice. This is particularly important where financial matters are involved.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Justice set up a Family Mediation Voucher Scheme designed to support the recovery of the family courts due to overwhelming applications and an increasing backlog of cases and to encourage more people to consider mediation as a means of resolving their disputes. The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme offers eligible families a financial contribution of up to £500 towards the costs of mediation. The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme is a time-limited scheme, designed to support parties who may be able to resolve their family law disputes outside of court.

How Does Family Mediation Work?

The process starts with a meeting with our mediator, usually on your own. This gives you an opportunity to discuss the process, and for our mediator to assess the suitability of your case for mediation.

If after that initial meeting you and your former spouse or partner want to proceed using mediation, arrangements will be made for further meetings, which you will both attend.

Your mediator will manage the discussions between you, making sure that all relevant issues and information are discussed, helping you reach agreements and drawing up proposals on which you both agree.

Is mediation legally binding?

A mediator does not give legal advice, but can guide you within the law and offer solutions that meet your family’s needs. They will encourage you to appoint a solicitor to work alongside you and write up the proposals you agree with your ex into a legal document.

Read our blog post that goes into detail about the mediation process.

Get in touch with our family mediation lawyers in West Yorkshire

Speak to our family mediation solicitors in Wakefield, Ossett, Garforth, Sherburn in Elmet or Mapplewell West Yorkshire today by calling 01924 290 029 or ask a question using our online enquiry form.

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