Family mediation offers a confidential way for people going through family breakdown, or family conflict, to discuss their problems together in the presence of a neutral, unbiased, mediator and to reach agreements about the best way forward. It is suitable for:

• Married couples
• Unmarried couples
• Same-sex couples, whether or not in a civil partnership
• Members of the extended family, eg grandparents who may be finding it difficult to see their grandchildren
• Teenagers who are finding it difficult to get on with their parents

The things which can be discussed in mediation include:

• Where the children will live when parents separate
• How the children will share their time between their parents
• How much children will see of members of their extended family
• How parents will communicate with one another in the future about their children
• How property, pensions and other financial assets are to be divided up
• How child support is to be arranged
• Whether any agreements are to be formalised in a Separation Deed or in divorce proceedings

Mediators are not able to give legal advice and will strongly recommend that each mediation client appoints their own solicitor, so that they can go and obtain advice about legal issues that emerge during the mediation process. A solicitor will also be needed to turn any arrangements made in mediation into a formal legal agreement.

For further details about the way mediation works, click on ‘FAQs’