At Anderson Longmore & Higham we offer a family mediation service. Whilst the family mediation service is based at our Chichester office, we are also able to offer mediation to clients across our other offices in Petworth, Billingshurst and Storrington.
Mediation offers an alternative way to resolve the issues that arise when a relationship breaks down. Just as with Collaborative Law, this is a process whereby couples resolve such issues out of court. However, while Collaborative Law involves each person instructing his or her own solicitor, mediation is conducted by one person, the mediator, who is neutral and acts as a facilitator for the negotiations.
Mediation tends to involve a number of sessions and meetings take place at the mediator’s office, which provides a safe, neutral venue. Within these meetings, the couple can choose what they wish to discuss. Some people attend mediation in order to try to agree arrangements for their children, while others discuss financial issues or both child and financial issues. Each person provides financial disclosure to the other person within the mediation process.
In most cases, couples attend the mediation meetings with just the mediator present. However, throughout the process (at the outset and between meetings) both parties have the opportunity to seek independent legal advice from their own solicitor. Indeed, at the end of the process, any agreement that is reached (otherwise known as a “Memorandum of Understanding”) is only binding upon the couple if each person has had the opportunity to consult their own solicitor on the proposed agreement.
Mediation works well for many couples, especially those who wish to find a non adversarial, more co-operative forum for resolving the issues that arise when their relationship breaks down. It enables couples to control both the agenda and pace of the process and, where successful, can avoid the considerable stress and expense that court proceedings can entail. Above all, like Collaborative Law, it seeks to enable the couple to build better communications going forward.
For a free initial discussion as to whether mediation may be the right option for you, please contact Edward Cooke at our Chichester office on 01243 787899.
Chichester Family Law: Chichester Family Law Solicitors: Petworth Family Law: Petworth Family Law Solicitors: Storrington Family Law: Storrington Family Law Solicitors: Billingshurst Family Law: Billingshurst Family Law Solicitors.
