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24 Family Mediation

Download Family Mediation (PDF File, 377kb)

1. Introduction

2. What is mediation?

3. Who can use mediation?

Anyone can use mediation – it does not matter whether or not you are married or have children.

You can use mediation to help you decide whether your relationship is over, but it is not marriage guidance, and the mediator’s role is not to help you and your partner stay together. If you and your partner decide that you would like to try to stay together, then you may want to seek counselling (see ‘Is mediation the same as counselling?’).

Mediation is always voluntary. However, for mediation to work, you and your former partner both need to take part, and neither of you should feel threatened or pressured by the other. It is also important that you are prepared to share information about your situation with each other. If you find that mediation is not working for you, you can stop it at any time. If either you or your former partner stops attending mediation, then the process finishes.

4. What can I use mediation for?

5. At what stage can I use mediation?

6. What if my partner is violent or threatening?

7. What if I don’t use mediation?

8. Do I still need a solicitor if I use mediation?

9. Is mediation the same as counselling?

10. What happens in mediation?

11. Is mediation confidential?

12. How long does mediation take?

13. What happens at the end of mediation?

14. How much does mediation cost?

15. How do I find a mediator?