For many, mediation can be a cost-effective and efficient way to resolve disputes than going to court.
Mediation is a collaborative process and typically involves a series of meetings with a qualified mediator, typically a barrister or solicitor with extensive family law experience. Meetings are held face to face or virtually, meaning it is truly flexible and can fit your everyday life and existing commitments.
If your relationship is high conflict or you are uncomfortable communicating directly with your spouse/partner, mediation can still be an option by undertaking sessions on a ‘shuttle’ basis. This means you do not sit in the same room (or virtual room) and instead the mediator moves between separate rooms where each party is situated, relaying information and proposals back and forth. This provides physical separation, ensuring mediation sessions can be conducted safely.
Mediation is a voluntary process, and all discussions are held confidentially (‘without prejudice’). Mediation facilitates agreements, on your own terms, rather than a court imposing a decision on you. That can be particularly important and powerful where children are involved.
Whilst we are not mediators, we have several effective, robust mediators we recommend. Behind the scenes, we can assist and support you with specific tasks (such as financial disclosure) and provide advice on proposals made during the process. Once negotiations have concluded and an agreement reached, we can help with the drafting of financial consent orders and/or parenting agreements.
Benefits of mediation:
- Control – you can make your own informed decisions as to what is right for your family, rather than a decision being imposed upon you.
- Flexibility – sessions can be arranged at times and places (including virtually) to suit you. You also control the timescales and pace between sessions as appropriate to your individual matter and circumstances.
- Dialogue – a mediator’s role is to promote constructive and helpful dialogue to help you reach a positive resolution. Reaching an agreement together is psychologically better than having one imposed on you and often leads to a more harmonious separation.
- Confidentiality and privacy – mediation is a private and confidential process, and all discussions are held ‘without prejudice’. This encourages active and sensible negotiation and agreements reached that may not have been possible in a court arena.
- Preservation of Relationships – because mediation encourages cooperation rather than conflict, it can help maintain relationships that might otherwise be damaged with litigation. This is particularly important in children disputes, where maintaining a cop-operative, coparenting relationship in the future is key.
- Reduced costs – if successful, mediation can be cheaper and far quicker than court proceedings.
*Whilst mediation is suitable for most, it isn’t for everyone. Mediation is not appropriate if there are issues of harm concerning a child (e.g. allegations of sexual, physical or emotional abuse, if you have experienced domestic violence, or if there is an imbalance of power within the relationship.
What I believe sets Clarence Law apart is their deep understanding of challenging personalities and their ability to guide clients through difficult situations with professionalism and insight. Their support made a meaningful difference during a particularly tough time in my life.❞
Why Choose Us?
- A leading boutique family law firm situated in Richmond upon Thames: We act for a wide variety of clients, many of whom are based in the local area and Surrey, throughout London as well as nationally and internationally.
- We are happy to travel/ arrange meetings close to where you live or work: We have access to meeting rooms across London and nationally. By lowering our overheads in this way, we can provide direct savings to our clients without compromising our high level of service and efficiency.
- We provide city expertise at very competitive rates: Helen and Adam acquired their knowledge and experience in some of the most highly regarded family law departments in London, including Sears Tooth, Mishcon de Reya LLP and Penningtons Manches Cooper. They each maintain a wealth of connections in the family law arena, including leading family law practices and barristers’ chambers, meaning they will tailor the right team and expertise to your particular circumstances.
- We start with a no-charge exploratory meeting to discuss your case: We will only accept instructions if we can add value to you.