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Family Mediation
We offer a mediation service in Norfolk and in Suffolk to couples coping with the breakdown of their relationship who wish to work together in a series of meetings with a family mediator to sort out their future arrangements.
Mediation is ideal for people who can not live together but still need to be able to communicate in a neutral and calm way.
You do not necessarily have to meet. The mediation can be together or in separate rooms, whichever is most appropriate.
For those willing to commit to working to achieve solutions, mediation can be fast and cost-effective achieving a huge saving in legal costs.
Problems for discussion might include arrangements to do with children, housing, money, pensions and so on.
Mediation can also be used to resolve other disputes such as difficulties between relatives perhaps over children or an inheritance.
We offer an introductory session which can be joint or separate, whichever you would prefer. Then if each party and the mediator decide that mediation might be helpful we plan from there.
If you start using mediation and then change your mind you can stop whenever you choose.
Legal Aid is available if you are eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Family Mediation?
Mediation is ideal for people in difficult or awkward family situations who need to be able to communicate in a way which is neutral and calm.
Problems to sort out might include arrangements for children, housing, money, pensions and so on.
Mediation can be helpful at any stage.
Your relationship might be as former partners, parents, or as a grandparent.
- What does a family mediator do?
The mediator's job is to be impartial, to look after each of you and to help you to work through and test out options: ultimately to achieve your plan.
The mediator will not tell you what to do or give you advice. But the mediator can give you information about the courts` approach and what the law says.
- Separating or Divorcing
If you are separating or divorcing now, or if you split up a while ago, it is important to try to keep in touch and to keep talking. The more you can sort out and work out together the better- even though it is hard.
Mediation in a neutral place with a mediator to look after you both will help you to adjust and to do the planning that you need to do.
- Who will be at the mediation meeting?
The mediation can be together or in separate rooms, whichever is most appropriate.
You don't necessarily have to meet.
- How can I find out more?
You could phone us on 01603 72374.
We offer an introductory meeting which can be joint or separate, whichever you prefer.
This could be in Norfolk or Suffolk:
- Gorleston
- Bungay
- Kings Lynn
- Bury St Edmunds
- Norwich
- Ipswich
- Wymondham
- Lowestoft
- I don't understand why my solicitor has referred me to mediation
Your solicitor thinks that an introductory meeting will give you extra useful information about the options available to help you sort out your arrangements.
If you need public funding so you can make an application to the Court, the Legal Services Commission first asks you to have an introductory meeting with a mediator so you can see whether some mediation meetings could be a more effective way of sorting things out.
- Do I have to meet my ex-partner?
No. You don`t have to meet. The mediator will discuss this with you at the introductory mediation meeting.
- Is mediation confidential?
The discussion in each mediation meeting is confidential as between you and anyone else at the meeting including the mediator.
However, there are two quite important exceptions:
- If the mediator thinks that anyone involved (including a child) might be at risk of harm
- If the mediator thinks that anyone might be involved in any financial irregularity
- Can I still get support from my solicitor
Yes. The mediation meetings are a good way of sorting through options and planning in detail the arrangements for your child or children and/or your financial arrangements.
Your solicitor will be able to advise you at any stage most usefully when you have reached (or just about reached) your plan.
After the mediation meetings have concluded the mediator can do a written summary of the plan which you have reached in mediation. You can pass the plan on to your solicitor for legal advice and then to put this into legal effect.
- So a plan reached in mediation is not legally binding?
No a plan reached in mediation is not legally binding. This is an important safeguard for everyone.
In the mediation meetings we can freewheel and try out ideas as we go along.
Once you have put together your plan in mediation you can check it with your solicitor. In this way you make good use of your time and good use of your solicitor's time.
- Can you give me a idea of timescale?
Typically each mediation meeting together lasts for an hour and a half. You might have say three meetings over a period of say four to six weeks. On the other hand one meeting might be enough.
Timescale depends very much on what will work best for you and your situation. The mediator will discuss this with you at the introductory meeting.
- Can my children have a say?
Yes. Depending on your child's age and provided both parents and the mediator agree the mediator can arrange to spend some time with your child or children.
The purpose of this would be to help to inform the family situation as a whole. The mediator will first discuss this option carefully with you.
- How much does mediation cost?
Family Mediation is completely free if it is a family matter and you are financially eligible for legal aid.
We will work this out for you when you come. But the following simplified notes will give you an idea.
To be financially eligible you need to:
- Receive income support or
- Receive income based job seekers allowance or
- Receive income based Employment and Support Allowance
- Receive guarantee state pension credit
Otherwise
i. The gross monthly income (from all sources) of you and your partner should not exceed £2,657
ii. Assuming your combined gross income does not exceed £2657 the maths is:
- your gross income pcm and
- your partner`s gross income pc
Less
- Income tax pcm
- National Insurance pcm
- Allowance for partner £167.53
- Allowance for dependent child £271.58
- Work related expenses for those receiving a wage or salary £45
- Maintenance that you pay pcm. This can include paying household bills or mortgage
- Housing costs pcm (rent or mortgage):housing cap if you have no dependents £545
- Child minding costs pcm where your partner is not available to look after your child
If the resulting figure is £733 pcm or less you will be eligible in terms of your income
iii. In addition your capital and that of your partner should not exceed £8,000.
The Introductory session is free if you are required by the Legal Services Commission to attend this
Otherwise
For each of two people taking part in mediation meetings together the cost is:
- For an introductory session £90 plus VAT
- For each session of 1 1/2 hours £140 plus VAT
The Mediation Team
Solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitor