Family Mediation

A step in the right direction

Letchers Solicitors

Family Mediation Service

How has mediation helped?

"We can talk again"

Mr and Mrs B had separated. There were issues in relation to contact by Mr B with their children. He had been shocked by the separation between Mrs B and himself and was having difficulties adjusting to the separation. Initially he did not wish to engaged in the mediation process but gradually became more involved. Arrangements with regard to the time that their children would spend with him were agreed and an overall financial settlement was negotiated which was endorsed by their respective Solicitors. The mediation took six sessions but at the end of the mediation both Mr and Mrs B were able to discuss matters between themselves when at the beginning they had not.

"We were able to agree on the care of our children"

Mr K and Miss D were having difficulties resolving matters between themselves as Court proceedings had already been issued. Both wanted to try and reach a negotiated settlement but the ongoing Court proceedings were causing an underlying mistrust of one to the other. They entered into mediation with a view to seeking to resolve the care of their children on the basis of a split care arrangement and to try and deal with the division of the proceeds of their home so as to enable both of them to re-house themselves. After four mediation sessions they were able to negotiate a settlement which was endorsed by their respective Solicitors and resulted in the proceedings which had been issued being withdrawn.

"... a reassuring process"

Mr and Mrs M had taken legal advice and had separated. Both were nervous about regularising their separation. Mrs M was not happy about divorce proceedings being issued against her. She was concerned about the effects of proceedings being issued. She received reassurance in mediation. They were able to begin to discuss with each other the position in relation to division of the assets so as to provide accommodation for both of them so that both could care for their two children. Despite enormous mistrust between them, they were eventually able to reach an agreement which was endorsed by a Consent Order.

"We resolved our financial issues"

Mr and Mrs B were separated, Mrs B having a new partner. There were issues concerning the care of their son and the funding of private schooling but insufficient assets to effectively re-house both of them. Both were separately represented and initially took fairly entrenched positions. They were eventually able to agree the division of the sale proceeds of their former home with a view to providing sufficient monies to assist Mrs B in re-housing herself with her partner as well as providing a deposit for Mr B to re-house himself. Considerable discussions took place concerning the care of their son and the possibilities of a split care arrangement.