We provide a wide range of legal services to individuals through our specialist teams of solicitors across our offices.
We provide a wide range of legal services to individuals through our specialist teams of solicitors across our offices.
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We provide a wide range of legal services to businesses through our specialist teams of solicitors across our offices.
Online Services
Mediation is an important tool which family lawyers use to try and resolve all sorts of family problems including children and finances, whether the parties are married or not.
At Pinney Talfourd we have found mediation particularly beneficial to help clients reach an amicable workable solution. It is one form of a number of alternative dispute resolution options which we regularly discuss with clients.
Whilst we ourselves do not offer mediation we work with a number of specialist mediators both in Essex and London whom we will recommend to clients. Those mediators are usually but not always qualified family lawyers.
Mediation usually involves the course of 3 or 4 meetings between you, the mediator and the other party. If matters are agreed then a memorandum of understanding is drawn up and then sent to us as lawyers for implementation. We find it extremely beneficial to support clients closely through the whole mediation process as we understand it fully and clients receive legal advice from us throughout the process.
Mediation is a method of resolving most family related issues that you are unable to resolve directly with the other party. Mediation is a conciliatory means of discussing matters openly and amicably in the presence of an independent mediator.
Mediation can include arrangements for children, divorce finances and/or property disputes following the breakdown of a relationship.
You will attend an initial Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM) meeting alone with the mediator. At this stage, the mediator will decide whether mediation is suitable for you . If mediation is suitable the mediator will reach out to the other party to see if he or she is willing to mediate. If the other party is willing to engage then the mediator will set up a joint session. At the joint session you will both sit down with the mediator and set an agenda for what will happen next.
If mediation relates to divorce finances, you will be asked to exchange financial disclosure of your financial circumstances with the other party. . This will include the disclosure of bank statements, property valuations, mortgage redemption statement and pension valuations. This is not an exhaustive list and will be bespoke to each case. The mediator will produce a summary of the figures and, based on this information you and the other party can then discuss your settlement. The mediator cannot give you advice during the process or provide you with an outcome.
In limited circumstances, where appropriate , shuttle mediation can take place. This involves the mediator carrying out the mediation whilst at all times the parties remain in separate rooms.
It is hoped by engaging in these negotiations in the presence of a mediator it will lead to you reaching an amicable agreement rather than you needing to resort to protracted court proceedings.
An agreement can be reached during mediation usually within four – six sessions. It is a much cheaper exercise than spending substantial sums litigating your case through the courts. It is also compulsory to attend the MIAM meeting before issuing court proceedings.
Contact us now to book a free initial consultation.
Key Contact
For more information please contact Catherine Polli on 01708 229 444 or by email.
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For help and advice, talk to a member of our team. They can advise on the best options in your matter.
