Family Mediation: Conversations Worth Having

The Family Mediation Council has published the results of its 2019 Family Mediation Survey to coincide with Family Mediation Week, taking place from 20th-24th January 2020.

Professional family mediators act as neutral third parties to help ex-partners have conversations about issues such as what arrangements will be best for any children, and what will happen with finances?

The Family Mediation Council Survey of family mediators, conducted in Autumn 2019, shows that family mediation is a highly successful way of helping separating couples resolve disputes, with mediation successful in over 70% of cases. These success rates are consistent with figures from previous studies, including government studies.

The survey also shows that where both of the people separating go and see a family mediator for an initial individual assessment meeting, three quarters choose to go on to mediate.

John Taylor, chair of the Family Mediation Council said ‘it is not surprising that so many people who attend a first meeting with a mediator chose to go on to mediate. The meeting (sometimes called a Mediation Information and Assessment meeting, or MIAM) provides people with an opportunity to find out what family mediation is, how it might work for them and the practicalities and costs involved, as well as the alternatives if they choose not to mediate. Once people realise that family mediation is less expensive than being represented in court proceedings, as well as being less stressful and quicker than the court process, most realise it is a conversation worth having.’

Local family mediator Susan Vesely from Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors LLP agrees, saying “mediation helps separating couples take control of their own family’s future and it is quicker and cheaper than using the court process”.

Whilst family mediation clearly works, there are still low levels of awareness meaning families are still missing out. This is a particular concern where families are eligible for free mediation, via the legal aid scheme. Taking place from 20th-24th January 2020, Family Mediation Week aims to raise awareness of family mediation and how it can help separating families manage their issues collaboratively and productively. You can find out more about the campaign by visiting www.familymediationweek.org.uk.

To contact Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors LLP to find out more about how family mediation can help you and your family, call 0800 015 0340 today.