Family Mediation Manchester

Looking for a mediator?

If you and your partner or spouse have decided to separate or divorce, mediation provides a way to resolve any disputes privately without going to court.

Our family law team has several qualified mediators to assist and advise you. We are here to support you and your partner in working together to reach an agreement about your lives after you decide to separate.

This can be about post-divorce arrangements for children, money, or the practicalities of how life will work in the future.

To get started, contact our team today to arrange a free consultation.

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The family mediation process

Family mediation sessions are very different to marriage counselling, so you should only contact a trained mediator after you have definitively decided to divorce or separate.

The aim is not to reconcile your relationship (although reconciliation might be an outcome) but to determine how the divorce or separation will work and what will happen afterwards.

The process usually takes the following steps:

You and your partner each meet with the mediator separately. This allows you to discuss your concerns with the mediator, learn more about mediation, and prepare for the joint mediation sessions.
Together, you and your partner will then attend a series of meetings with the mediator. In each meeting, an agenda will be set, and the mediator will help you to work through the issues in the agenda effectively and fairly.
At the end of the mediation process, the mediator will create a Memorandum of Understanding to state what each party has agreed to. They may also create an Open Financial Statement for financial arrangements and a parenting plan for child arrangements if required.
The documents are sent to each party’s solicitors to show an agreement has been reached, making the divorce process much simpler.

Benefits of mediation

There are several key benefits to family mediation:

It is a cost-effective method of resolving disputes. The alternative is battling it out in court proceedings, which is expensive and damaging for your future relationship.
Family mediation can improve communication between you and your former partner, leading to better relations post-separation if you need to remain in contact, especially where there are children.
It provides an opportunity to discuss and agree on matters important to you in a non-adversarial setting with a trained professional.
Children can be involved in the process if they wish. The separation of parents can be a stressful and worrying time, but mediation allows children to have a say.

If you think family mediation might be the right process for you and your former partner, the first step is to contact our family law team to discuss your situation; they will provide information and answer any questions you might have.

Frequently asked questions

How many sessions will we need?

Family mediation is different for every couple. Some only have a few minor issues to resolve, while others have a larger list to work through. Naturally, the more issues to discuss, the longer the process. On average, the majority of couples attend 3-5 sessions.

Does legal aid cover mediation?

If you qualify for it, legal aid can help cover mediation costs in some circumstances. For those not eligible for legal aid, the cost is shared by each partner.

Do we have to attend mediation?

The family law courts now require separating couples to attend an initial mediation meeting, called a Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM), before they apply for court. There are some instances where parties may be exempt from using mediation, such as domestic violence victims.

Is family mediation legally binding?

During a divorce or separation, the agreements made during family mediation (summarised in the Memorandum of Understanding) are not legally binding, leaving flexibility for changes.

Your solicitors will help you create a legal agreement after the mediation process.

What if mediation doesn’t work?

Mediation works well for many couples, but it isn’t suitable for everyone. Sometimes, the issues prove too complex or divisive, and the mediation process breaks down. Or, mediation simply may not be appropriate from the start (e.g. in cases of domestic abuse).

Such cases will then be settled in court. Nothing you’ve discussed in mediation can be used against you in court proceedings, as all information in mediation is confidential.

Highly rated and trusted by our customers

“Having had to resolve a complex family situation involving child arrangements, I engaged the services of Slater Heelis. Throughout this difficult time, the support and legal advice I received were excellent and resulted in a positive outcome in Family Court. I would not hesitate to recommend their services should I need further legal help in the future.” – Adrian

“I truly recommend Slater Heelis for their family services. Rebecca, who represented me, was a great source of guidance, she helped me navigate and obtain the divorce absolute and financial settlement. The outcome was exactly what I desired to secure my family’s financial future. Rebecca’s advice was clear and honest from the beginning, and she was highly sympathetic to the nature of my ex-partner and the situation I was in.” – Alyson

“Many thanks to Charlotte Beck in family law. Truly agreeable, accommodating and adroit. Reached me a few hours of messaging with guidance on the best way to continue with my separation.” – Jennifer

Family Mediation in Manchester