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If you are getting divorced or separating, family mediation gives you the control to make decisions about your future, and the future of your children.
Our mediators, Mark Kosmin and Savita Sharma can assist.
Mark Kosmin has years of experience helping couples secure the right solutions for them and their children.
As a member of Resolution, Mark is committed to reducing conflict. Mediation offers you a non-confrontational way of working that is better for children and is quicker and more cost effective than going to court.
Savita Sharma as Dual Qualified solicitor and an English trained mediator is uniquely placed to mediate in all family matters but in particular where jurisdiction is or likely to be dispute in financial and child cases as between England, Wales and Scotland. She has been called upon to assist parties before or where proceedings have been initiated in either or both English and Scottish courts to allow the parties the opportunity of resolving their issues in a non-confrontational and child centric way.
Family mediators are independent trained professionals who help you to work out an agreement about issues such as arrangements for your children or your finances without having to go to court. There are many benefits to mediation:-
The initial meeting with a mediator is often called a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). It usually lasts around 45 minutes. This meeting gives you the chance to find out how mediation works and to explain about your current circumstances.
If you want to take your case to court, it is now a legal requirement in most cases to attend a MIAM.
This meeting is held separately from your ex. If you decide that you do not wish to try mediation, you will be provided with the relevant court form to show that you have considered mediation.
If you and your ex agree to try mediation, an appointment will be made for your first joint mediation session. Usually this is held in the same room with your ex, but in appropriate circumstances you can sit in separate rooms. This is called “shuttle mediation”.
It usually takes between three and five sessions to reach an agreement, but this will depend upon your individual circumstances, and what you need to sort out.
The decisions that you reach in mediation are not legally binding. Our mediators will explain to you how you can get a legally binding court order and will provide you with all the necessary paperwork so that this is a straightforward process for you.
Family mediation may not be the right process for everyone. It may not work where there has been domestic violence or child abuse.
We offer Child Inclusive Mediation. This means that children can be invited to meet with a mediator, provided that both parents agree. This will enable your children to have a say, and so help you as parents to make arrangements that take account of their wishes and feelings.
Mediators do not give legal advice. However, our mediators will recommend that you use a solicitor to obtain independent legal advice. You can obtain legal advice at any time during the process. If appropriate it is also possible for your solicitors to be more directly involved in the mediation process. This may be appropriate if you feel that you need some additional support.
At the end of the mediation process your solicitor can ensure that any agreements that you reach are made legally binding.
If you would like to find out more about mediation please call for a 15 minute free chat, or email mk@freemanssolicitors.net or Savita.sharma@freemanssolicitor.net to arrange an appointment.
NCDR stands for Non-Court Dispute Resolution which encompasses all methods of resolving disagreements without court intervention. This includes mediation, arbitration and communications between legal representatives where parties are actively working towards agreements on a without prejudice basis.
It has gained popularity since 29th April 2024 when the Family Law Rules were changed requiring any party contemplating family court proceedings must (unless they fall within an exemption) actively consider NCDR at the outset and at all stages of the proceedings.
Mediation is a voluntary process and if parties agree, mediation can take place on a ‘forum neutral basis.’ This means parties can discuss settlement without favouring any legal system and the mediator can facilitate those discussions. It can be very helpful in resolving matters cost effectively.
Yes, mediation is available at any stage if both parties want to pursue this method to resolve their disagreement without the delay and ongoing expense of court proceedings. In some instances, Judges can refer parties to NCDR where appropriate and pause court proceedings to enable the parties to resolve matters without having to deal with an ongoing court timetable.
If you need help with an interview, whether by the police or another investigating agency,
please call our emergency number, our line is open 24 hours a day.