FAQs

What does the mediator do?

The mediator is impartial and does not represent either person. He or she makes sure that both of you are able to express your views, helps you generate options and ideas about how to resolve the situation, and explores ideas with you to help you decide what works best for you and your family.

Do both of us have to attend?

You can attend the initial Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (or ‘MIAM‘) on your own. But if mediation is to go ahead, both of you will need to be involved. If you really don’t feel able to sit in the same room, it is possible to arrange ‘shuttle mediation’: the two people sit in separate rooms and the mediator moves between the rooms to relay each person’s views to the other.

Will I still need a solicitor?

Mediators don’t give advice, so we generally recommend that you take legal advice about the options being discussed in mediation, particularly where any proposals may form the basis of a legally binding arrangement – for example, if they are to be made into a consent order. If agreed proposals are to be made legally binding you will probably need a solicitor to draw up the legal documents.

How much does mediation cost?

Click here for information about our charges.

How long does mediation take?

A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) usually lasts about an hour. After your MIAM, each mediation meeting usually lasts around one and a half hours.

Because each situation is different, it is difficult to give a definite answer about how many meetings will be needed. This will depend on:

  • Which issues you want to discuss
  • How complicated the issues are
  • How far apart you are from each other in your ideas
  • How ready you are to find common ground with each other

As a general guide only:

  • If mediation is about children’s arrangements only, you may need one or two meetings after the MIAM.
  • If mediation is about ownership of property or financial issues, you may need three or four meetings after the MIAM.

Want to know more?

Contact us for more information.