Joint Meeting
These meetings are attended by both parties and a mediator, and usually last around 1½ to 2 hours. They can be held in person and face to face.
However, if you feel more comfortable being in separate rooms, we can arrange this as well. This is called a Shuttle Mediation
If you are unable to attend our offices, we can also arrange for you to join us online.
This is called Hybrid Mediation
After each meeting, we will send both of you an Outcome Summary which will summarise the points we have discussed.
The cost of a Joint Mediation is £500 and this will be shared between both of you.
If one of you is eligible for Legal Aid, your costs will be covered.
* This is your opportunity to explain your goals in a private place with the mediator who will help you explore available options, identify issues that need to be resolved with the aim of reaching workable solutions.
* Neutral Facilitator: The mediator doesn't take sides or offer legal advice. Their role is to create a safe and structured environment for open communication.
* Instead of a judge telling you how to split your finances or spend time with your children, a mediator helps you and your family work together to figure out what feels fair and practical for everyone involved.
* It's a collaborative approach aimed at reducing conflict and finding solutions that meet the specific needs of the family.
* Parents and guardians can discuss child arrangements including holidays, birthdays, schooling, health matters and parental responsibility.
* Separated, divorcing or divorced couples can address money and assets, including dividing property (the family home, other assets), savings, investments, pensions, and debts. It can also cover spousal maintenance and child support.
* Information Sharing: Both parties are expected to be open and honest about their financial situation, providing relevant documents and details. This transparency helps everyone understand the full picture.
* Exploring Options: The mediator helps the family explore different ways to divide their finances and consider the potential outcomes of each option. They might help brainstorm solutions that the individuals haven't thought of.
* Reaching an Agreement: The goal is for the family members to come to a mutually acceptable agreement which can be documented with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which solicitors can create, together with an Open Financial Statement (OS), a legally enforceable consent order to be approved by the court.
After every joint meeting, the mediator will send you an Outcome Summary (OS) which captures the main decisions and next steps. It's not legally binding, but it clearly lays out what everyone has agreed to do.
An OS mirrors the content that would go into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in financial mediation or a Parenting Plan in child arrangements mediation - often a stepping stone towards a legally enforceable agreement.
