Fixed Fee Mediation
In any family dispute emotions can run very high and positions can become rapidly entrenched.
No matter how irreconcilable your differences may appear to be, there are a range of alternatives to court through which you can attempt to broker a resolution before you consider costly and time-consuming court action.
Family mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) which helps you reach decisions about things that are important for you and your family, without having to go through the court process.
A mediator is an impartial third party, who would meet with you and your ex with a view to assisting you, together, in dealing with the legal issues that flow from your separation. The mediator cannot take sides, nor hold confidences. Whilst they can explain legal concepts they cannot give legal advice nor tell you what to do. It is voluntary and you can with withdrawn from it at any time. It can also be conducted in separate meeting rooms if you do not feel ready to sit round a table with your ex.
How much does mediation cost?
rhw’s Family Mediation service is structured and priced as follows:
First Meeting – lasting up to 1.5 hours fixed at £350.00 plus VAT to include:
• Preparation for meeting; and
• Meeting lasting up to 1.5 hours*; and
• Drafting documents arising from the meeting.
Second Meeting – lasting up to 1.5 hours fixed at £550.00 plus VAT to include:
• Preparation for meeting; and
• Meeting lasting up to 1.5 hours*; and
• Drafting of documents arising from meeting.
Third and subsequent meetings – lasting up to 1.5 hours fixed at £650.00 plus VAT to include:
• Preparation for meeting; and
• Meeting lasting up to 1.5 hours*; and
• Drafting of documents arising from meeting.*
If the meeting lasts longer than 1.5 hours then usual hourly rates will apply i.e. if the meeting lasted an additional hour than a further charge of the mediator’s normal hourly rate of £280 plus VAT would apply.
Please ask for full details of the service by e-mailing: family@rhw.co.uk or calling 01483 302000
The Benefits of Mediation
Mediation gives you the opportunity to take your time and think about the issues that are important to you, whether it be arrangements for your children as they grow up, how to deal with money within the marriage or cohabitation or options of where you will live. The process moves at your pace, which ensures you can carefully consider each issue rather than rushing through it.
Mediators will listen to you to find out what is important to you, and help you make your own choices about how to move forward. Once you and your partner are satisfied with the decisions you have made, you can then instruct a solicitor to complete the legal formalities.
You can also consult your own solicitor during the mediation process, to check that the choices being taken are in your best interests.
Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
Mediation has become a more central part of family law since the changes in law which now require you to attend a Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before issuing an application to commence financial proceedings or proceedings under the Children Act. This assessment meeting gives you the opportunity to see how mediation works, and allows the mediator to work out with you whether mediation will be suitable for you and your family. The mediator should discuss how many sessions you may need, how much they cost and whether you are eligible for legal aid to pay for mediation.
In most circumstances, whomever is applying to the Court for a financial order or a Child Arrangement Order will have to attend a MIAM. The other person involved is also expected to attend, but they do not have to go to the same meeting as you. There are exemptions, particularly if domestic violence has arisen within the relationship.
If everyone agrees at the first appointment that mediation would work well, you will book further mediation sessions. It normally takes between three and five meetings to come to an agreement, depending on the issues in question.
rhw offer fixed price mediation and advice on what other options are available to you.
Call our Family LawTeam now on 01483 302000 or e-mail family@rhw.co.uk
