Separation & Divorce Mediation London and Kent

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

Separation & Divorce Mediation London and Kent

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

All mediators are trained to help parents to think about the ways they can support their children. They can also provide information about how children can be supported when parents separate.

Some mediators are also qualified to see children and young people separately as part of a parental mediation process.

The Family Mediation Council’s Code of Practice requires that all children and young people aged 10 and above should be offered the opportunity to have their voices heard directly during the Mediation, if they wish. Your mediator will explain exactly how this might work and whether it is appropriate when you meet to consider offering your children the opportunity of consulting directly with a mediator.

Answer

The first meeting with a mediator is often called a Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM). Whether it’s called a MIAM or a first meeting, it will cover the same things.

The first meeting with a mediator gives you the chance to find out how mediation works. Mediators are trained to work out with you whether mediation is right for you and your family. They will also discuss how many sessions you may need, how much they would cost, and explain whether you might get legal aid to pay for mediation.

The mediator can also give you information about other services that provide help and support and the other options you might have to resolve things.

Answer

Most people going through mediation find it helpful to have legal advice to support them. You can arrange this at any time and your mediator may also recommend you do if you are talking about things that relate to a legal issue. The mediator can give you information about local family solicitors and how to choose one. If you get legal aid for mediation, you may also get free legal advice during mediation.


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Contact us on 020 8315 7460 for a confidential discussion

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COVID-19 & Low-cost mediation

If you are experiencing difficulties as a result of COVID-19 we maybe able to help with the cost of mediation through our National Lottery COVID Fund. Call 020 8315 7460 to discuss. 

 

Office appointments are now available again at our office in Bromley as well as appointments via  Zoom.  Zoom  is a video meeting App which you can download for free onto your phone/laptop or other device. Find out more here.

Mediation by video meeting is a recognised approach, approved by the FMC (Family Mediation Council). We have used Zoom for MIAM meetings for several years and we have now used it successfully to help many clients to reach agreements during the lockdown period.

Please call on 020 8315 7460 to find out more or if would like to arrange an appointment.