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.

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

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Mediation FAQ's


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.

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

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.


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