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

We charge per session (not per hour) and for mediation sessions we apply a ‘sliding scale’. See our Fees page.

At your first (MIAM) meeting, the mediator will be able to give you an estimate of how much mediation is likely to cost, based on their understanding of what it is you hope to deal with. They will also help you check if you can get legal aid to help pay for it.

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.

Answer

Only Family Mediation Council Accredited mediators (FMCA) can conduct MIAMs.


View more FAQs

Contact us on 020 8315 7460 for a confidential discussion

×

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. 

 

We are currently conducting all  sessions on Zoom  due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. 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.