Family business disputes

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

Family business disputes

Family businesses are the most common form of business in the UK.

Conflict is normal in business and in families. But for family businesses, the consequences of disputes occurring can be long-term and disastrous.

Typical issues that can lead to a falling out amongst family members include: dealing with family tensions over strategy; the role of extended family members in the business; the failure of family members working in the business to consult the wider family.

Communication can suffer and in some extreme cases decision-making can become paralysed.

So, if you are quarrelling over the future direction of the business, or if you cannot agree what role relatives should play in the business, then try mediation.

Want to 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

The first meeting, and mediation sessions which follow, may cost you nothing if you get legal aid. The mediator will help you work out if you can claim legal aid.

Our fees are subject to VAT and charged per person, per session and are paid in advance of your meetings

Our MIAMs cost £65 for a single appointment (£78, including VAT) and £60 for a joint appointment (£72 including VAT)

We charge an admin fee of £25 (£30, including VAT) for signing, where appropriate, court forms.

Answer

If the first meeting (MIAM) goes well and you all agree to try mediation, you will book mediation sessions. It usually takes between three and five meetings to come to agreement, depending on what you need to sort out.

The mediator will usually see you and your ex-partner together, although you should be offered the choice to see the mediator separately if you need to.

Answer

Going to court should be a last resort. But if you do need to go to court, you will still need to show that you have either attended a Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM) or you don’t need to attend a MIAM because of your circumstances. You need to do this by sending the relevant court form with your court papers.

 

The mediator can help you complete this at the first meeting or MIAM.


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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.