Also at this initial meeting you can be assessed for Legal Aid.

Remember the underlying foundations of mediation are that it is voluntary, the Mediator is impartial and everything discussed is confidential. You must both want to be there, you set the agenda and progress is at your own pace. In short it is your process.

As impartial Mediators we provide the forum, guidance and information to help you resolve problems yourselves.

Everything discussed in mediation is strictly confidential and legally privileged.

The essence of mediation is communication; if you can’t talk to one another you can’t solve anything. Thus a major part of the Mediator’s role is to help you communicate, to make sure both parties feel heard and able to get their points across in an equal and even handed manner.
The mediator will also help you establish your financial and other needs, the value of your assets and most importantly how you are going to care for your children.

Once you have agreed on your proposals the Mediator will draw up a document called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which summarises the decisions you have reached. This can be accompanied by an Open Financial Statement (OFS) which details your assets, finances and property.

How does Mediation work?

Prior to commencing mediation, the mediator will arrange individual assessment meetings with each of you. This gives you the chance to ask any questions and raise any problems or fears you may have about the process while giving the Mediator the opportunity to explain how mediation works and to ask some general questions which you may not wish to answer in front of your ex-partner.