Taking place from 11th-15th January 2016, Family Mediation Week aims to raise awareness of mediation and how it can help separating families manage their issues collaboratively and productively.
When relationships break down, emotions can run high. Family Mediators are trained to help resolve dispute and reduce tension and hostility. They can help keep communication channels open and minimise the impact on any children involved. It allows couples to make informed decisions.
Changes to the law in 2014 mean that most divorcing couples must attend a mediation assessment (sometimes called a MIAM) before they can go to court. Legal Aid is available for Mediation but no longer for actual Divorce proceedings. Any subsequent mediation is not compulsory.
Family mediation can help couples settle practical issues, such as division of assets and arranging access to your children, in a way which works for everyone. It removes the need for these decisions to be settled in court or through solicitors, which can be both stressful and costly. Mediation can help resolve any additional issues that may exist.
We provide such as service to the public and are happy to take calls from anyone considering mediation and requiring further information. We use the low cost fees that they charge for family mediation to help subsidise our free community mediation work.
We are finding that Family Mediation is a growing area of work for us. We have a great team of mediators, with one very experienced family mediator having joined to us recently. We are happy to answer any queries.
Further information can be obtained by contacting WSMS on 0300 200 0025 or by emailing info@wsms.org.uk