Answer

There are a number of ways of dealing with family matters without having to make an application to court.

• A divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership can only be granted by a court but this can be done without actually going to a hearing at court.
• For many people, sorting out arrangements for children and agreeing how to split property and finances can be done without involving a court at all.

If you can’t work things out between you or have a family dispute, you will be expected to try to sort it out using mediation before going to court.

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

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.