You may contact a mediator directly or your solicitor may refer you. What can you expect to happen?
Not everyone is ready for mediation at the same stage of their separation, so the mediator needs to find out whether it is suitable for both of you.
An initial consultation (“the MIAM”) will soon be able to determine the best course of action. Since April 2011, there has been a requirement (with some exceptions) that anybody wanting to go to court should first attend a meeting (called a MIAM) with an appropriately qualified mediator to find out about mediation and other non-court options.
If you decide not to mediate, this stage is necessary if you want to go to court, as the court will expect a certificate from the mediator before you start proceedings.
We will discuss the process to ensure you understand how it works. We will then contact your former partner and have the same conversation with them.
Further meetings will be scheduled at which you may work on communication issues, renew arrangements for children, exchange financial information and consider options. We may be able to help resource financial advice or support for your children.
Once you have proposals you both find acceptable, the mediator will prepare a summary of them together with a summary of the financial information.
This will be sent to each of you to discuss with your lawyer (if you wish).
Afterwards if you are both still content with the proposals, you or your lawyers will convert the summary into a legally binding document and oversee any necessary implementation required by the Court.
