What is mediation?
Mediation is the process by which couples seek to reach an agreement about such things as their children, finances and property. Couples discuss these issues in the presence of a trained, independent third party – the mediator.

Mediators do not make decisions. Their role is to help couples:

Co-operate
Resolve conflict
Reach joint decisions
Focus on the needs and feelings of the children

Mediation is not reconciliation or counselling.

Benefits of mediation?

Is generally much quicker and less expensive than Court procedure / litigation
Helps separating couples to communicate and co-operate to reach agreement
Is less stressful than going through the Courts
Is confidential.

What does mediation cover?
A mediator can be used to help separating couples agree:

The terms of separation / divorce
Care and contact arrangements for children
Financial provisions for either of the couple and / or children
How the family home or other property should be shared

How does mediation work?
Couples are generally referred to a mediator by their solicitor and will already have received legal advice. If not they initially will be encouraged to seek advice from their solicitor as well as at various stages throughout the process.

The next stage involves a series of sessions between the couple and a mediator. If financial issues are being discussed the mediation process starts with the disclosure of all financial information. Such information may be referred to by either party outside the mediation forum.

The mediator facilitates open and free discussion, ensures any proposals are realistic and will help the couple to reach a consensus. Proposals made during the mediation process are not legally binding.

Once an agreement has been reached the mediator will summarise the proposals and any financial disclosures. Summaries are subsequently passed to each party’s solicitor who will translate them into legally binding agreements.

Costs
Mediation sessions last for 1½ hours. The number of sessions depends entirely on the couple and the nature of the problems. On average 3 to 6 sessions are needed. Charges will be discussed in detail at our first meeting including availability of Public Funding.

Who mediates?
The Mediator for Harthills Solicitors is Sandra Hedley, who is a Solicitor. Sandra is a member of the Law Society’s Family Panel and deals exclusively with Family Law and Mediation.

Sandra trained as a Mediator with the Solicitor Family Law Association (SFLA) which provides an extensive training Programme And Ongoing Support.

Problems and complaints
We hope you are happy with our service, but if you do have a problem then, please speak to the person responsible for your case. If it cannot be sorted out, then you can write to the Managing Partner, who will deal with it under our Formal Complaints Procedure.

Resolution mediators work to a Code of Practice that follows internally accepted principles and are also regulated in their Mediation Practice by the Law Society.

Copyright © 2003 Harthills
Design 100Web