Mediation

If your relationship is breaking down, you will probably be concerned about making arrangements for the future, especially if you have children.

Resolve is an independant company which offers a service to couples enabling open dialogue in a safe and comfortable environment, with the goal of working towards maintaining respect and consideration within a broken relationship, so as to ensure that all personal matters are dealt with in an amicable and considerate way through mediation.

Mediation is a process where couples who are separating can be assisted by an impartial third party, a mediator, to resolve the issues of the breakdown of their relationship.

The role of the mediator

A Family Mediator's role is to explore options available to couples particularly in relation to divorce and separation, family finances, property and the arrangements for children. The Mediator's role is not to counsel or seek to reconcile the couple or impose a settlement.

Why choose mediation?

1. It encourages couples to make their own decisions and to communicate with each other.
2. Couples are in control of the decision making process and the pace of negotiations.
3. The cost to couples is likely to be significantly lower than lengthy negotiations through solicitors or court proceedings.
4. The emphasis is on the couple seeking their own legal advice at any stage throughout the mediation process and especially once a settlement has been reached.

The Mediation Process

1. The couple must jointly wish to involve a Mediator.
2. An Information Form (Referral Form) will be sent out to each party before the first assessment meeting requesting information about their circumstances.
3. The mediator will see each Party individually for the first meeting (assessment meeting). This meeting will last approximately half an hour and this assessment meeting is free. This provides an opportunity to explain mediation in more detail and for the couple to consider if mediation is right for them. The Mediator will consider if either Party will qualify for Legal Funding.
4. Usually a couple will require four to six sessions, which lasts up to one and a half hours to reach agreement.
5. The Mediator will summarise in writing the settlement that is reached. The couple can then produce it to their solicitors who will advise upon it and then submit it to the court to be made into an order or put the terms into a Separation Deed so that the agreement becomes legally binding.

What is the cost of mediation?

The assessment appointments are free.

If either of the couple are not eligible for Legal Funding the private costs can be shared. This reduces the costs considerably as compared to both of you paying your own solicitors. Further details can be provided at the first free appointment. If the couple require the settlement in writing there will be an additional charge based on an hourly rate. Payment is required to be made at the end of each appointment.

Why choose Resolve?

1. Resolve has been approved by the Legal Services Commission. In some areas of the country it is a general requirement that you be assessed for the suitability for mediation by an approved service before your solicitor can obtain full Legal Funding in any event.
2. The approval of a service by the Legal Services Commission recognises the high standards and training that must be in place to be granted such recognition.
3. If either party is entitled to Legal Funding then the entire process for that party is FREE. There is no requirement to pay back your legal fees as there is if you have full Legal Funding from a solicitor.