No.  Mediation is a dispute resolution process for couples who are separated, or in the process of separating or divorcing.  It offers you the chance to talk about, manage and resolve issues arising from the breakdown of your relationship.  Mediation will help you to be forward focussed and make decisions and plans for your future that work for you both and the needs of your family. 

No.  Many people decide to come to mediation themselves.  Simply contact me by completing the client referral form and emailing it to me or the online contact form.  I will then call you to discuss the best way forward.  Please note that I cannot give legal advice – and recommend that you speak to a solicitor as well as coming to mediation if you have any legal queries or require legal advice.

Once I receive your enquiry or referral form, I will contact you to discuss mediation and answer any questions you may have about the process.  If you still wish to proceed then I will contact your partner to have the same discussion with them. If you both then want to proceed to full mediation I will invite you both to have an individual intake meeting with me so that we can meet and I can discuss the issues with you and better understand what it is you are hoping to achieve. 

When you have both had your individual intake meetings we are ready to arrange your joint mediation meetings.  As mediation is a voluntary process you or your partner may decide that it is nor right for you.  This is fine and you simply need to advise me of this.

No.  Mediation is a two way process that involves both parties and a mediator discussing any of the family issues that need to be resolved.

When I receive the initial referral form I will speak to you both at the earliest opportunity.  Once you have both had your individual intake meetings with me the full joint mediation will be arranged at times that are convenient for you both.  The full mediation meetings are arranged for 2 hours per meeting.

Each case is different but typically will require between 2 and 4 meetings depending on the complexity of the issues to be resolved.   As you are in control of the process, subject to availability, you can complete the process as quickly or slowly as you need.

The Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), is a meeting that provides you will all the information about mediation to enable you to make an informed decision as to whether you believe that mediation would be appropriate in your case.  A MIAM is required for anyone that wants to make an application to the court in family matters.  The family mediator who has conducted the MIAM will then be able to sign off your court application to confirm that you have had a MIAM.

I do not currently offer the MIAM service and therefore if you do not want to start full mediation and wish to make an application to the court I will need to refer you to an alternative service who can provide your MAIM and sign off the court forms for you.

No, but the summary prepared following a successful mediation can be given to your solicitor to be incorporated into a Court Order or a legally binding agreement.

Please refer to my How much will it cost page for full details of the costs of mediation.  Please note that there is still legal aid available for mediation, however, I do not hold a Legal Aid Contract and therefore this is not a service that I can offer at this time.

My main office is in Coventry, although I can offer mediation in Warwickshire and the surrounding areas.  I am able to arrange mediation meetings at locations that are convenient to you both.  This will at times entail sourcing a suitable venue which may be at an additional cost if the room needs to be paid for.

Yes, however, if you or any other person is at risk of serious harm I may be obliged to notify the relevant authorities.  Mediators also have a legal obligation to report any suspected fraud, such as benefit fraud, tax evasion, undeclared income or money laundering.