17 Jan HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors Supports Family Mediation Week
The 16th to 21st January 2023 is Family Mediation Week. The campaign, by the Family Mediation Council, seeks to raise awareness of family mediation and its benefits to separating families.
The Family Law team at HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors support the campaign and the mediation process. It is an effective way to avoid the court process and all the emotional distress, delays and costs that can bring.
What is family mediation?
Family mediation helps couples to work together to make decisions about their future, their child arrangements, and their matrimonial finances. It can also be used to help couples negotiate a prenuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement.
It is a non-court-based process, where every case is unique and tailored to meet the specific needs of the family.
A mediator can open the discussions with a couple while they are together in one room or if more appropriate, they will conduct the process with each party, individually. In this case each spouse will sit in their own room and the mediator will move between them, encouraging open and frank conversations. The success of family mediation is based on both parties voluntarily working with the mediator to negotiate, compromise and agree on the best way forward for the family.
The documentation produced by the mediator is not legally binding. However, both parties can then use it as a guide, and work with their solicitor to produce a legally binding divorce agreement.
What are the benefits of family mediation?
Family mediation seeks to resolve disputes in a non-contentious manner. It can help couples come to an agreement over family matters much quicker and is significantly cheaper than taking a case to court.
Couples who successfully complete the mediation process generally find it a positive experience. Both parties make an agreement together, and therefore are both committed to making it a success.
What are the alternatives?
Mediation may not be right for everyone. Some couples choose to work with a collaborative solicitor, who manages a ‘roundtable’ approach. Negotiations are conducted in four-way face to face meetings with a view to achieving a fair settlement.
Another option is arbitration. During arbitration, an independent and legally qualified third party or member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators will make a legally binding decision on the case. Our family solicitors then work closely with our clients to prepare all the necessary documentation and present the case to the Arbitrator.
Both of these options can be more cost effective and are a quicker option than using the full court process.
To make an initial appointment with one of our family solicitors to discuss family mediation or any aspect of the divorce or separation process, call us on Hitchin 01462 458711, or email info@hrjforemanlaws.co.uk.
Meet the team
Kathy Scoot, Partner and Family Law Solicitor
Roger Weller, Senior Associate Solicitor, Family Law
Vyonne Manuel, Associate Solicitor, Family Law