Separation & Divorce Mediation London

Contact us on 020 8315 7460 for a confidential discussion
to see how we can best help you.

Separation & Divorce Mediation London

Mediation: reaching agreement following divorce and separation.

The South East London Family Mediation Bureau (SELFMB) is available to help you reach agreements related to matters about children, finance and property.

In almost all cases confidentiality can be maintained throughout, thus avoiding public exposure of personal problems.  In most cases an agreement reached by mediation will last longer than a decision imposed by the court.

What takes place in mediation?

Parents will be invited to attend a pre-mediation meeting (separate time will be provided for each parent.) At this initial meeting what happens in mediation will be explained. Parents then meet together with an accredited and experienced mediator who will help them to make decisions regarding the arrangements for children and / or finance and property.

 

Our Mediators

All Bureau mediators are accredited by the Family Mediation Council (FMCA) and function within its Mediation Code of Practice.

 

Advantages of mediation compared to court proceedings:

  • Parents retain control of decisions which affect the children.
  • Children benefit because of reduced conflict.
  • It can be done quickly: it may be completed in days rather than months compared to litigation and court process.
  • Costs are likely to be far less than those of lengthy court proceedings.

 

Find out more

Contact us on 020 8315 7460 for a confidential discussion to see how we can best help you.

Find out more

Mediation FAQ's


Answer

If you’re on a low income you may be able to get legal aid to help pay for one or more of:

  • The Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
  • Mediation sessions
  • Legal help in support for mediation

If your case isn’t suitable for mediation, in some circumstances you might get legal aid for other sorts of legal help.

Legal aid may be available to one or both of you and each person will be assessed separately. Even if only one person qualifies for legal aid, both will have the fee for the MIAM and the cost of the first full mediation session covered.

Answer

These meetings can be held separately from your ex. However you can go to the meeting together if you prefer. You can choose. Time will always be spent with each person alone to make sure they have made their own decision to come to mediation and are not at risk of any harm or abuse.

Answer

Mediators are trained to:

  • Listen and help you both to work out what has to be dealt with.
  • Discuss what your options might be and what might work best for the future.
  • Make sure you both have chance to speak and be heard.
  • Provide any legal information needed to help your discussions or confirm when you need to consult a family lawyer.
  • Tell you when you might need further independent advice on matters such as pensions.
  • Ensure decisions are made jointly, are fair for both of you, for any children involved, and for your family circumstances.

 

When you reach agreement, the mediator will put it in writing and make sure you’re all clear about what it means.


View more FAQs

Contact us on 020 8315 7460 for a confidential discussion

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COVID-19 & Appointments

In light of recent Coronavirus developments SELFMB are offering clients the opportunity to book a MIAM appointment by Zoom, as an alternative to a face-to-face meeting, or to change an existing MIAM appointment to a Zoom appointment. Zoom is a video meeting App which you can download for free onto your phone/laptop or other device. Find out more here.

In some cases we will also be offering mediations by Zoom. We would usually conduct mediations in person, however mediation by video meeting is a recognised approach, approved by the FMC (Family Mediation Council). With the increased risk of Coronavirus we are looking at how we can continue to provide services to clients whilst reducing the risk to clients and staff.

Please call on 020 8315 7460 if you have any questions or would like to arrange an appointment or request to change an appointment to Zoom.