Benefits of Mediation for separating families

Every year Mediation Week 17-21 January 2022, lead by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) helps raise awareness of Family Mediation for those seeking a divorce.

Our aim is to let more people know about the benefits of family mediation and to encourage separating couples to think about family mediation as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for them and their family. 

If you'd like to understand how the mediation process works, this video provides a great overview.

How mediation can help separating families

1. Greater control. Each person is directly involved in negotiating their own agreement and no settlement can be imposed upon you. Mediation therefore increases the control each party has over the resolution.
    
2. Faster outcome. When parties want to get on with their lives, mediation is a good option to consider. Mediation generally takes less time to complete, allowing for an earlier solution than is possible through the legal route.
    
3. Completely confidential. Litigation whereby disputes are resolved through the court, is potentially a very public process. When disputes are settled out of court through mediation, it is entirely confidential to both parties.
    
4. Reduced costs. Settling disputes through court proceedings is generally more expensive and the overall costs can be unpredictable. Resolving disputes through mediation, however, can often be more cost effective than going to trial.
    
5. Supportive process. Mediation involves using a trained, neutral mediator to engage with the conflicting parties and to help them work towards finding a solution that is acceptable to both sides. The Mediator listens to all views, talks to the parties privately and sometimes together, and guides each party through the process.
    
6. Preservation of relationships. Settling family disputes is already a difficult situation to handle, but going through a litigation battle and the stress of the courts can make it even more so, putting added pressure on the relationship between both parties. Mediation on the other hand helps both parties focus on communicating effectively with each other and coming to a negotiated settlement that works for all involved.
    
7. Flexible and Informal. The process is informal and flexible. There are no formal rules or evidence and no witnesses required.
    
8. Mutual Agreement. Parties are generally more satisfied with solutions that they have had a hand in creating, as opposed to solutions that are imposed by a third-party decision-maker.
    
9. Comprehensive and Customised. Mediated agreements often help resolve practical and interpersonal issues. The parties can tailor their settlement to their particular situation and attend to the fine details of implementation.
    
10. A Foundation for Future Problem-Solving. After a mediation resolution, if a subsequent dispute occurs, parties are more likely to use a cooperative forum of problem-solving to resolve their differences than to pursue an adversarial approach. 

Mediation Vs Legal

While mediation is a great process for resolving conflict, to make those decisions legally binding, you still need a qualified solicitor. 

That’s why working with Hughes Paddison, who offer mediation and professional legal advice, you have the best of both worlds. 

Whether you choose the mediation or legal route for your divorce, Hughes Paddison can help. We will help you choose the best route depending on your personal circumstances. 

Free 30 Minute Call

Sadly, in January, we see a rise in enquiries for divorce, so during Mediation week 17-21 January we are offering anyone seeking separation advice a free 30 minute telephone appointment.

Please contact our office, simply asking for the Mediation Week 30 minute Appointment.

We look forward to supporting you through this difficult time.