Family Mediation
What is Family Mediation?
Family mediation is a calm, confidential way to resolve parenting, financial, or property issues without going to court. When families are in crisis, family mediation gives everyone a safer space to be heard, reduce conflict, and work toward practical, caring solutions; especially when children are involved.
It’s often quicker, less stressful, and less expensive than going to court. Agreements about parenting or finances can be made legally binding with a Consent Order or Child Arrangements Order.
How I Work
I specialise in child-focused mediation and work only with parents. My approach is gentle, respectful, and centred on your children’s needs; helping you create clear, compassionate plans for communication, parenting time, and co-parenting.
This is not therapy or counselling, but a supportive, structured process to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Finances
If you also need to sort financial matters, I can work in tandem with various colleagues who are also accredited mediators.
Often, we run separate but coordinated sessions; one focusing on your children, the other on finances, so each issue gets the attention it needs. Sometimes we co-mediate; often we work independently but toward the same, united outcome.
Who is Family Mediation for?
Family mediation is suitable for anyone facing family-related disputes that need a constructive resolution. These can involve arrangements for children, parenting responsibilities, financial matters, or making important decisions during a stressful period.
Typical clients include:
• Married couples who are separating or divorcing
• Unmarried partners who have been living together and are parting ways
• Parents who separated previously but continue to have disagreements about their children
• Parents who were never cohabiting but need to resolve issues concerning their children
• Civil partners who are separating
• Same-sex couples who have lived together but did not register a civil partnership
• Extended family members with disputes, such as grandparents and their adult children or in-laws
• Adult siblings who wish to reconnect
Participation in family mediation is voluntary; both parties simply need to agree to take part.
Curious if Family Mediation is for you?
Benefits of Family Mediation
If you’re facing the end of a relationship, family mediation can be the quickest and most affordable way to resolve both practical and emotional issues.
I know mediation can feel emotionally demanding, but it’s designed to put you in control. You decide what to discuss and the choices you make. I am here to guide the conversation, so you shape both the process and the outcome.
Mediation also protects your wellbeing. You’ll have a confidential, neutral, and safe space to be heard and understood. This helps you separate with dignity, reduce conflict, and agree on a constructive path forward, which is especially important when children are involved.
In my practice, I focus on your children’s welfare as the top priority. I’ll help you transition from living together as parents to a cooperative co-parenting arrangement while living apart, so your children, and you, can move forward with greater confidence.
Compared with going to court, mediation often leads to:
• Lower costs
• Faster resolution
• More control and empowerment
• Better emotional outcomes
• A stronger focus on your children’s needs
The National Audit Office has found that disputes resolved through mediation are generally cheaper and quicker, and research shows they tend to be less acrimonious than court cases.
How to Begin
I start with a separate, one-hour intake meeting for each client (MIAM). These sessions allow you to fully explain your circumstances and understand how mediation works.
You can ask questions and consider whether mediation is right for you, or explore alternative options if it isn’t. Everything we discuss is confidential and will not be shared with the other party unless you expressly ask me to do so.
Once both parties have completed their individual intake meetings, a joint mediation session can be arranged. Depending on your situation, this can be structured in different ways.
I mainly conduct intake meetings remotely and am very experienced in online mediation. If a remote appointment would be helpful, please mention this when you get in touch.
If you would like to explore family mediation and talk through your situation in a calm, supportive way, please get in touch.
Working together with your solicitors
Child Inclusive Mediation within solicitor-led cases
I can provide a child inclusive mediation service to strengthen children’s participation in out-of-court processes, including within solicitor-led cases.
The process
I meet each parent first to assess suitability, carry out safeguarding checks, and explain the confidential process. Children are never asked to choose sides.
If appropriate, I invite the child to meet me in person, and the child decides what, if anything, is shared.
How feedback is offered
Feedback is shared verbally only, there are no recordings or written reports, and nothing is used as evidence.
Parents, and solicitors if they wish, receive feedback in a short, structured meeting. If helpful, I can support translating this into practical, child-centred arrangements.
Why this matters
Many children want to be heard about how arrangements affect them. This approach allows their voice to inform decisions in a safe, neutral and respectful way, without placing them in the middle.
Fees & practicalities
The process typically includes individual parent meetings, a joint session with solicitors, the child’s confidential meeting, a feedback session, and follow-on support if required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Family Mediation?
Family mediation is a structured, confidential process that helps separating families resolve issues around children, finances, and arrangements without going to court.
Do we have to be on good terms to attend mediation?
No. Mediation is designed to support communication even where there is conflict. You do not need to have a good relationship to take part.
Is Family Mediation legally binding?
Mediation itself is not legally binding, but any agreements reached can be made legally binding through a Consent Order or Child Arrangements Order.
What happens in the first mediation meeting?
The first step is usually a separate, one-to-one intake meeting for each person. This gives you space to explain your situation, ask questions, and decide whether mediation feels right for you.
Can mediation help with both children and finances?
Yes. Mediation can cover arrangements for children as well as financial matters. Where needed, financial discussions can be supported alongside specialist input.
How long does Family Mediation take?
This varies depending on your situation, but many families reach agreements within 2-6 joint sessions. Mediation is often much quicker than going to court.
Is mediation cheaper than going to court?
Yes, in most cases mediation is significantly more cost-effective than court proceedings, as well as being less time-consuming.
What if we cannot agree during mediation?
If an agreement cannot be reached, you are still free to explore other options, including legal advice, other non-court dispute resolutions or court. Mediation does not remove your right to take further steps.
Is Family Mediation confidential?
Yes. Mediation is a confidential process, and discussions are not shared outside of sessions unless there is a concern about safety or risk of harm.
Can we attend mediation remotely?
Yes. Many mediation sessions, including initial meetings, can be held remotely via video call if this is more convenient.
Do both parents have to agree to Family Mediation?
Yes, mediation is voluntary and both parents need to agree to take part.
Is mediation suitable if there has been conflict or tension?
Mediation can still be suitable where there is conflict, as long as it is safe to do so. Part of the initial meeting is to assess whether mediation is appropriate for your situation.
Will my children be involved in mediation?
In many cases, children can be involved through child inclusive mediation, where they are given a safe, supported opportunity to share their views.
How do I start Family Mediation?
The first step is to get in touch to arrange an initial meeting, where you can talk through your situation and explore whether mediation is the right option for you.
If you would like to explore mediation and talk through your situation, please get in touch below.
All enquiries are confidential and non obligatory
