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We structure the meetings according to those important issues for you both - flexibility is one of the benefits. The aim of the meetings is to discuss and understand all the issues, and to reach agreements, so that these can be made legally binding when you are both ready. This gives you the opportunity to raise issues in mediation freely and facilitates open dialogue. Mediation is very much about the future - the mediator is there to help you both communicate together and make plans for the future, very much based around the best and varying needs of your children.
The process starts with a no-obligation free assessment
Meeting at our offices in Milton Keynes, or at a convenient location for you, we will meet for upto 60 minutes to initially discuss your circumstances. This meeting can be on your own or together (usually on your own), and aims to give you a further understanding of the mediation process, whilst we will begin to understand what you want to achieve in mediation. We will agree a fee structure at this meeting, but this initial assessment is completely free and without any obligation.
Your case will last for roughly 6 two hour sessions
The average case takes about six sessions – apart from preparing your documents as disclosed and agreed by you both, you only pay for the time we use in session. We ensure that both parties can safely explain their priorities in a balanced setting with ‘a level playing field’. No-one is bullied into anything they do not wish to do. Face to face communication generally produces best results, but we will be there to coach and manage you throughout the process. On certain occasions either of you may elect beforehand to engage in 'shuttle mediation,' or, to ‘caucus’ during a session (i.e. go into separate meeting rooms for each party). This gives the time and space for you each to talk confidentially with the mediator at any particularly difficult time for you, or, on any sensitive issue, and to use him to pass specific information to the other party if necessary.
Financial disclosure
We shall ask each of you to provide complete and accurate disclosure of all your financial circumstances. This is ‘open’ information and is available to your individual legal or financial advisers and can be referred to in Court.
Confidentialities
Mediation is a confidential process, with two provisos (please ask the mediator). The discussions you have with regard to possible terms of settlement or proposals for the future are understood to be legally privileged.
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