Mediation Services for Southampton & Hampshire

Our mediation services are available in person and provide an efficient and cost-effective way of resolving family disputes, using separate meeting spaces to give clients time out when needed and facilitate shuttle mediation, ensuring individuals do not have direct contact or see each other if this is too distressing. Separate meetings, known as Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs), will be held individually for each party so that the mediator can discuss whether mediation is a suitable way of resolving the matters. If an in-person meeting is not feasible, an online Zoom meeting may be arranged as an alternative option.

Family Mediation is where an independent third party helps you and your partner talk through matters arising from family breakdown. This can include helping you to discuss whether you wish to separate and if so how you will go about this. If you have already separated, discussions can be about finances, property, children or the process of divorce if applicable.

Family Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process that both parties must want to try. It can help protect your parenting relationship moving forward and assist in ensuring you remain on good terms. This can enable all parties to move forward constructively and cost-effectively.

When families separate, there can be considerable pain and financial hardship. Family Mediation enables you to explore the options available without the cost of having to go to court. You are able to make decisions regarding the children or finances together, meaning they are more likely to work for your family. The process is led by you, giving you space and time to deal with things at your own pace. Mediation enables you to explore different options and work out what will work best for you and your family. This can prevent the additional stress and expense of having to go to court.

You can contact a mediator at any stage of the process. If you are considering separating and wish to explore your options a mediator can help you with this. The sooner you contact a Family Mediator the more chance there is of preserving the positive relationship between you and ensuring all parties are able to move forward constructively.

Mediations are normally carried out with the mediator and both parties in the same room. The mediator will make use of a flip chart to note down different proposals that are made and to try to enable you to visualise what is being put forward. This will aid the discussions towards finding a resolution.

If you feel that you are not able to discuss matters in the same room as the other person and would be more comfortable in separate rooms, then the mediator may suggest shuttle mediation. This is where you both sit in separate rooms and the mediator goes between you.

Solicitors can attend as the mediators can’t give legal advice (we provide legal information as mediator). They may want legal advice so hybrid mediation can be arranged.

 

During family mediation, you are encouraged to discuss proposals for the resolution of matters. It is not always possible for a resolution to be reached. If you do decide on a proposal that will work for you, the mediator will draw this up into a Memorandum of Understanding. This is a privileged document so is not able to be used in court. This will then be sent to your solicitor for the terms to be incorporated into a consent order or a separation agreement. The consent order is then sent to the court for filing which will finalise matters.

If your mediation takes place with Catherine, she can offer £500 towards the joint meeting if matters are to discuss children as per the government voucher scheme (please note this is not legal aid, Sousa Law does not provide legal aid).

At the initial meeting, the mediator will need to take information from you regarding your current situation.

In order for a financial settlement to be binding upon the parties, disclosure is required to take place. If you wish to discuss financial matters during the Mediation process both parties will have to provide full and frank disclosure of all finances. This will usually be done by way of a Form E. This document covers all aspects of the financial disclosure, including property, investments, pensions and income. It also looks at each party’s needs moving forward.

There are different forms of dispute resolution that are available to you and the mediator will discuss these with you at the initial meeting. Mediation is voluntary and can be stopped at any time by either party. Our mediation aims to resolve disputes in a personal and sensitive manner.

To speak with one of our specialist family solicitors, book an initial consultation online, call us on 02380 713 060, or email [email protected]. We’re glad to assist with any questions you have.

Mediators - Catherine or Emma