Family Mediation

Discover Family Mediation: finding your voice and your solutions

Family Mediation is a process encouraging families to empower themselves and discuss their issues in a safe environment, facilitated and managed by Nancy who is neutral and impartial.
Family Mediation is focused on the present, and the future.

Family Mediation welcomes all family structures and relationships, is voluntary, confidential, and flexible.

• It is for all family members: couples, child/ren, step-parents, grandparents and/or other family members involved in family arrangements.
• It is voluntary: each participant chooses freely to enter and then to continue the mediation process. The process can be terminated by the participant(s) (and Nancy) at any time.
• It is confidential: the discussions in mediation are confidential, enabling you to explore different options openly and without strategic concerns. This enables those involved in the dispute to find tailored solutions that suit your family's needs, rather than being imposed by Court proceedings or Arbitration.
• It is flexible and available at any time: even if Court proceedings have already started.
• Exemptions: Family Mediation is not suitable in all circumstances, for example if there are allegations of domestic abuse, and coercive and controlling behaviour, and child safety concerns. Nancy will assess and consider with you whether it is safe to mediate.

Advantages of Family Mediation

The focus in Family Mediation is for all the participants to make informed decisions, find tailored solutions and the right outcome for you and your family, chosen by you.

Family Mediation is a flexible process designed to meet all your needs.

All issues relating to the family may be discussed by way of example: separation/divorce, tensions between family members (couples, children, adolescence, step-families, grandparents, the elderly), pre and post-nuptial agreements, finances and/or property, including wealth-planning.

Mediation may improve:

• Communication between family members, in particular because the process emphasises listening, respect and the individuality for each person.
• Relations between parents, and secure better outcomes for child/ren, both in short and longer terms.

Family Mediation is usually a cost and time effective alternative to litigation or negotiation through lawyers. It is designed to be a more timely alternative to legal process(es), and is typically a quicker process than going to Court.

What is the Family Mediator's role?

Nancy is non-judgemental by remaining neutral, impartial and independent in relation to each of the participants' requests, positions, views, and perceptions. Nancy is trained in dealing with tension, conflict and providing a safe environment in which to discuss difficult issues.

Nancy:

• Assists you in communicating with each other effectively.
• Provides a safe and confidential forum in which to talk openly.
• Facilitates you in exploring different options and solutions about the family's arrangements for the present and the future.
• Provides relevant and practical information about mediation, divorce and the other processes available, together with details of relevant support networks.

How long does the process take?

Each mediation is different and specific to your family's circumstances.
Mediation can take between 1 to 5 joint sessions, sometimes more.
You are in control of the frequency of sessions - it is your tailor-made process.