When facing challenges in reaching agreements on issues arising from a divorce or separation, mediation can be a highly effective solution.
Similar to the collaborative process, mediation involves both you and your partner meeting with a mediator, fostering open and honest conversations to understand both perspectives. The aim of the process is for you and your partner to work towards a mutually acceptable agreement, which can be formalised into a legally binding document by one of our family lawyers.
Compared to the usual way of both you and your partner instructing separate lawyers and going to court, mediation is quicker and costs less. Not only does it expedite the process, but it also helps lower stress and build a positive relationship, making it easier for families to move on.
Why choose Pickerings Solicitors for family mediation?
Our family lawyers play a crucial role in supporting clients through the mediation process. We inform clients about the mediation process, its benefits, and potential outcomes, emphasising that we serve as legal advice during this phase. Before mediation sessions, we offer tailored legal guidance, explaining rights, responsibilities, and potential outcomes. We help set realistic expectations and review documents. Post-mediation, we review agreements and guide clients through potential modifications and can draw up the agreement into a legally binding court order . In cases where mediation unfortunately fails, we prepare clients for litigation, informing them about potential court intervention and guiding them through the court process. Our goal is to provide comprehensive legal advice and support, empowering clients to make informed decisions for fair and legally sound divorce agreements.
Advantages of Mediation in Divorce
A mediator will:
Enhance Communication: Mediation helps parties communicate better with each other.
Provide Practical and Impartial Advice: Mediation offers practical and impartial advice to those involved.
Facilitate Informed Decision-Making: It empowers both parties to make well-informed decisions.
Be Cost-Effective: Mediation is faster and more cost-effective than court proceedings.
Reduce Conflict and Stress: The process actively reduces conflict, stress, and anxiety.
Empowerment and Control: Instead of a judge deciding, you and your ex-partner stay in control of the situation.
Address Legal and Non-Legal Issues: Mediation can address both legal and non-legal aspects, such as setting boundaries on parenting.
To make mediation work best, both you and your partner should talk to your own lawyers and, if needed, get advice from experts like pension professionals and accountants.
Mediators serve as neutral facilitators, making discussions on crucial matters such as finances and child custody more manageable.
Collaborative law vs. Mediation: What's the difference?
Both methods involve both parties and offer more control to the individuals to agree on terms in a more civilised way.
However, a key distinction lies in the roles of the professionals involved. Collaborative lawyers actively serve as legal advisors and negotiators, engaged alongside their clients at the heart of the dispute resolution process. In contrast, mediators act as neutral third parties, who facilitate discussions between the parties. The mediator does not provide legal advice but helps the parties communicate and find common ground. Each party may choose to consult with their individual lawyers outside the mediation sessions for legal guidance
Call one of our specialist family mediation lawyers on 01827 317070 or email sdavies@pickerings-solicitors.com