Haymarket Family Mediation

Haymarket Family Mediation is a service that helps couples deal with any or all of the issues resulting from the breakdown of their relationship. This can include:

Day to day care arrangements of the children

How the children’s time is shared between their parents

Financial support

Housing needs

Division of capital and property

Consideration of pensions

Debt

Mediation can also be helpful in other types of relationship breakdown such as grandparent/parent cases. Overall, mediation can help you reach a long-lasting settlement that is fair to you both and avoids or reduces the risk of high legal costs.

Mediation by Web Conferencing, FaceTime, Skype and Zoom

The Haymarket Family Mediation team have temporarily suspended all face-to-face Mediation for the time being. This is in line with government advice due to the coronavirus outbreak.

However, we are still able to conduct Mediation Assessment and Information Meetings (MIAMs) and Mediation via Web Conferencing, FaceTime, Skype and Zoom.

Please contact Haymarket Family Mediation by calling Sheila Parkes on 01256 854652 or send an email to sheila.parkes@phillips-law.co.uk

Benefits of Mediation

Is generally cheaper than using the court

Can help reduce areas of conflict

Is usually better for the children

Lessens the stress of the relationship breakdown

Is confidential

Is voluntary

Reduces the need for as much input from solicitors

The Process

You will initially be seen for a Mediation Information and Assessment (MIAM) meeting by a mediator on your own or with your former partner, so that you can both be satisfied that mediation is right for you. If so, there will then be a number of joint sessions arranged for you with the mediator.

Within those sessions, any issues about children and or your respective financial positions would be considered. This would involve financial information and documents being gathered together and exchanged in an open and co-operative atmosphere, the aim being to find a solution that suits you both.

If agreement is reached, the terms are written up in a document that you can then take to solicitors to finalised. Shuttle mediation (where each client is in a different room) or mediation Skype is also available in suitable cases.

Children

Some of our mediators have an added qualification in “child inclusive mediation.” This can enable mediators to see children as part of the mediation process if it is felt appropriate by the mediator and the parents.

Where there is an impasse in reaching agreement about the day to day care arrangements for children, this option can be invaluable and helps to give the child a “voice.”

Legal Aid

Haymarket Family Mediation has a contract from the government funded Legal Aid Agency to provide legal aid for mediation for those that are eligible. In those circumstances the mediation process is free to the eligible client throughout, unless their circumstances change substantially.

In addition, the other client will be entitled to a free initial information meeting (MIAM) and a free first session and will only be charged for subsequent sessions and the preparation of any documents. To find out whether you may be eligible for Legal Aid, please visit www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid.