Family Mediation

Dispute resolution your way

Are you:

• Struggling to find common ground with your ex-partner over important issues like children or finances?
• Worried about how the ongoing conflict is affecting your children, and concerned about rising legal costs and the emotional toll of lengthy court battles?
• Seeking a personalised, compassionate service that respects your unique situation, offering a safe and supportive environment at a pace that feels right for you?

If so, it is likely that along with approximately 80% of family law cases, we will be able to resolve your case through Mediation.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a process where disputes and issues arising from divorce or separation can be resolved in an amicable and constructive manner, avoiding the need for often costly and prolonged court proceedings.

Why should you consider Mediation?

• Mediation is conducted by a neutral third party - having a third party facilitate discussions can help keep lines of communication open at a time when parties are in conflict.
• Both parties involved in the process are accountable for their decisions - the Mediator is not responsible for making the decisions and they cannot force an outcome on the parties.
• Mediation can save you time and money - often Mediation is a cheaper and quicker route to an outcome than court proceedings.
• Mediation is flexible - parties can deal with multiple issues during Mediation whether they involve finances, children or isolated one-off issues .

Virtual Mediation

Whilst face-to-face Mediation offers more personal interaction with the Mediator, we are also pleased to offer Virtual Mediation using video-conferencing to facilitate constructive discussions without the need for either party to attend our offices.

How does the process work?

Step one: You and your partner will have a free initial consultation with your Mediator, this gives you the opportunity to understand:

• The Mediation process;
• How many sessions you may require;
• The cost of these sessions.

The initial consultation allows you to ask any questions before the process starts, ensuring you're comfortable with the process and issues that may be discussed. It also allows the Mediator to ensure the process is right for you. Costs for Mediation are to be discussed with the Mediator at the initial joint session.

Step two: You will then be invited to meet with the Mediator individually (this session lasts for 1 hour).

Step three: The joint Mediation process begins (these sessions normally last 1.5 hours).

Step four: An agreement is drawn up.

Once the Mediation process concludes, a document presenting all the agreed proposals will be given to you. This can be passed on to your solicitor who will put these documents into a legally binding contract (if required). If you are discussing the care of your children, your Mediator can prepare a Parenting Agreement reflecting what you have agreed.

The documents which will be prepared during the Mediation session may include and Open Financial Statement, Memorandum of Understanding (summarising all the agreed proposals if you have been discussing financial matters), or a Parenting Agreement (for arrangements relating to your children).

Who will be your Mediator?

I am Eleanor Towsey, a Mediator and family solicitor at KJS Solicitors. I am passionate about Mediation and would like to share with you the process and why I believe that mediation will be right for you.

It starts with an initial meeting (either face-to-face or via Zoom) with both parties. I can talk to you briefly about why you would like mediation such as for children or financial issues or both.

The joint Mediation session is an ideal opportunity to start working together to resolve your issues, with the assistance of a neutral third party, the Mediator. It is amazing how the barriers of communication fall when you all sit in a room together and how much can be achieved. There is no time limit or limit to the number of sessions. You could, however, reach a resolution within 3 – 5, 1.5 -hour sessions as opposed to months or in some cases, years. I will steer and support you both gently through the process until there is a resolution that suits you and your family.

Mediation takes work from everyone involved, but resolutions reached this way are satisfying and deeply rewarding. Through Mediation, it is likely that communication between you and your partner will improve in the long term and that you will therefore find creative and long-term solutions to benefit you and your family.

Please call me on 01483 370100 or email me at eleanor.towsey@kjsmith.co.uk and arrange your free initial consultation.

Video Conferencing - Meet Our Lawyers

Finding the right lawyer can be a difficult job, therefore why not arrange a free 45-minute consultation at one of our offices or arrange a video consultation with us via Zoom.

Our flexible video conferencing service is available Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Free, no-obligation consultation

You can arrange a free telephone consultation to decide whether mediation could be right for you by sending an email to mediation@kjsmith.co.uk or by calling your closest branch on 01483 370100 (Guildford), 01865 703000 (Oxford), 01491 630000 (Henley on Thames Head Office), 0118 418 1000 (Reading), 01256 584000 (Basingstoke), 01494 629000 (Beaconsfield), 01344 513000 (Ascot), or 01635 785 100 (Newbury), 01962 587900 (Winchester), 023 8200 2111 (Southampton), 01727 295 555 (St Albans).