Family Mediation North East
Family Mediation North East
CONTACT CENTRES
CONTACT CENTRES
WELFARE BENEFITS
WELFARE BENEFITS
WELFARE BENEFITS
WELFARE BENEFITS
CHILD MEDIATION
Family mediation can help you and your ex-partner make decisions about arrangements for your children following your separation. Mediation can also be helpful if you need to change arrangements as your children grow up.
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Our family mediators are not there to dictate how you should parent your children. No one knows your children better than you. Our mediators will help you navigate the challenges of separation so you can work together to make decisions about issues that have arisen as a result of your separation. Such as:
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where the children live
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when they spend time with each parent
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when and what other types of contact take place (phone calls, for example)
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how you communicate with each other as separated parents
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child maintenance payments.
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We can also support with issues beyond these areas. For example, we can support grandparents or other family members to discuss arrangements for children in mediation.
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Our mediators will help you to find a solution that works for you both and will explain what needs to happen to make an agreement between you legally binding. The process is less stressful and significantly quicker than going to court and can save you money. Legal aid is also available if you are financially eligible.
CHILD ARRANGEMENTS
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Parents often come to us about a specific issue that they are struggling to agree on. For example:
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How are we going to share the day-to-day care of our children?
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What's going to happen during the holidays?
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What about Christmas and birthdays?
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How do we choose a nursery or school?
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Our expert mediators can help you put together a Parenting Plan that outlines your plan for any of the issues above.
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Our mediators can also assist you with your communication, if necessary, so you can hopefully resolve any future issues between you without any further intervention.
WHY CHOOSE MEDIATION?
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It is a cost-effective way to resolve disputes.
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It promotes positive communication and can help to reduce tension, anger and misunderstanding.
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It focuses on fair solutions. You stay in control of the decision-making.
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It is more likely to produce lasting agreements and create better outcomes for children than court-imposed decisions.
THE MEDIATION PROCESS
You can refer yourself directly or via your solicitor, by completing our referral form.
However you contact us, you can be assured that your conversation will be confidential. We will then arrange for you to attend an initial meeting at the earliest possible time convenient to you. Next-day appointments are available.
Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs) are usually attended separately. In this meeting, we will give you information about mediation and will ask you some questions so we can work out together whether mediation is suitable for you. Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process. There is no pressure on you to proceed if you don’t wish to.
If you, the other party and the mediator feel it is right for you, you will then move forward to mediation. Our mediators are trained to manage conflict and to ensure an environment that encourages each of you to contribute equally. You may be distressed, angry or in financial crisis; where appropriate we can signpost you to further help from the right support services.
CLIENT FEEDBACK
"Relaxed environment, very open communication. Easy to speak to the mediator. Would recommend their services."
"Oliver was amazing. Talked me through the whole process and awnsered all my questions. Very patient when my daughter needed me and understanding."
"Very understanding and willing to listen to what you want and decide. Non judgemental."
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it worth going to mediation?
Yes, but you get to decide because it is entirely voluntary.
Do both parties pay for mediation?
You are responsible for your costs of the mediation but both Legal Aid and extra funding from the Ministry of Justice are available. Please see our website for more information.
How much does mediation cost in the UK?
The Family Mediation Council states that the average family mediation cost is £140 per hour. At Pax Mediation we have competitive pricing. We also offer Legal Aid which means if you are eligible mediation is completely FREE. Please see our Fees and Legal Aid page for more information. We are also authorised to provide the Ministry of Justice Mediation Voucher Scheme. Under this scheme, the government will contribute up to £500 per case/family to the mediation costs of a child arrangements case.
Do I need a solicitor before mediation?
No. You can make a referral directly to mediation at any time.
Is there a downside to mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process and remains so throughout the process. This means you must be willing and the mediator must think mediation is suitable in all the circumstances at your Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) but also throughout the mediation process.
What should you avoid in mediation?
Be open to the idea of change and a fresh start for you and your family. The mediator will help you to be able to speak as well as listen for example.
Can I skip mediation and go straight to court?
No. Before you make a court application you will usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). There are some exceptions to this requirement such as where there are child protection concerns or domestic abuse but for most people this a required step. This does not mean that you must attend mediation itself, just consider it as part of your options.
How to get free mediation?
Legal aid and extra funding from the Ministry of Justice are available. Please see our website for more information. Mediation is cheaper and quicker than going to court.
What happens if my husband refuses to go to mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process. This means that both you and your husband must be willing to try a mediation process and the mediator must think a mediation process is suitable in all the circumstances. So if your husband refuses to go to mediation then the process cannot go ahead at that time.
What are the five stages of mediation?
1. Preparing the arena.
2. Setting the agenda.
3. Exploring the issues.
4. Securing an agreement.
5. Recording the agreement.
Do solicitors arrange mediation?
No. Your solicitor may refer you to a mediation provider but mediation is arranged by your mediation provider.
How long is the first mediation session?
Mediation sessions are about an an hour and a 30 minutes, with some of this time being one on one time with your mediator either side of the session.
How successful is mediation in the UK?
The Ministry of Justice released a report on the 'success of mediation' in March 2023. It said that 76% of families were able to reach an agreement on some or all issues. Please see the report for more information.
What happens if one parent refuses mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process. This means that both parties must be willing to try a mediation process and the mediator must think a mediation process is suitable in all the circumstances. So if a parent refuses mediation then the process cannot go ahead at that time.
How long is the first mediation session?
Mediation sessions are about an an hour and a 30 minutes, with some of this time being one on one time with your mediator either side of the session.
What happens if you break a mediation agreement?
Generally agreements reached in mediation are more long lasting than plans enforced upon people by the courts. Mediation is a voluntary process and agreements reached in mediation are not legally binding. That said because no pressure is placed on parties to reach agreement, mediation works because parties stay in control of their decision making and as a result are more likely to stick to arrangements agreed between themselves rather than something imposed upon them by a third party.
Why is court better than mediation?
Court is not better than mediation. The court process is an alternative to mediation. It is more expensive and takes longer to resolve. Parents lose control of decision making because the court decides.
What are 3 benefits of mediation?
Cost effective, quick and keeps you in control.
What is the best type of mediation?
The best type of mediation is what is best for you and your family. If you need to sort out a financial settlement following your separation, arrangements for your children, child maintenance or any other issues following a separation, mediation can help.
How do I choose a good mediator?
Only use a family mediator who is accredited under the FMCA scheme. See the Family Mediation Council website for a list of accredited family mediators. All our mediators at Pax Mediation are FMCA accredited.
What is the most difficult part of mediation?
The most difficult part of the mediation process is different for different people. For some it is making the referral, others feel worried about what is going to happen in their first appointment. Clients tell us they usually feel more comfortable once the appointment has taken place and they have the information they need to help them with next steps.
What is the hardest part of mediation?
It is different for different people. Please see answer above.