Mediation Solicitors

Our Aim in assisting you

At Crisp & Co we have fully qualified and professional Mediation solicitors able to assist you and your family sensitively resolve all issues arising from family breakdown. The process has been carefully designed after many years experience in ‘family law’ to facilitate agreement over children, finances and all of the other problems that can arise when a relationship comes to an end. We deliver a first class and seamless service that puts you and your children first with the ambition of achieving a ‘good divorce’, without the animosity that all too often marks family breakdown.

What is Mediation

Mediation is an alternative to going through the court system.  One of our Mediation solicitors will meet with both you and your partner to help you identify the issues and areas that you are unable to agree and support you in trying to reach an agreement.  Mediation solicitors are impartial and will not take any sides in any dispute and are not there to legally advise you or your partner and will not give advice on your individual positions. However, our Mediation solicitors will provide you with all relevant and helpful information and will guide and facilitate your discussions towards resolution in a neutral and friendly enviroment. We usually recommend that you obtain your own legal advice whilst you work through the mediation process, this means that where any Court work is required, this can be seamlessly integrated into the process.

Mediation helps the couple have the opportunity of communicating more effectively with each other on difficult areas of concern in a safe and supported environment and to facilitate the opportunity of resolving your disputes together. Mediation can assist in the whole range of family disputes both in relation to Divorce, Separation, Family Finances and Children.

Your Questions Answered

How does mediation start?

Either you or your partner can contact one of our Mediation solicitors directly or through a referral from a third party such as your solicitor.
What can you expect to happen?

Our Mediation solicitorMediation solicitor will speak to you generally about the process to ensure that you understand how the mediation process works.  They will then have a similar conversation with your partner.  This usually takes place over the telephone but in some circumstances can be a face to face meeting. The mediation solicitor will be able to give early and helpful information about the process and assess whether your case may be suitable for mediation.
What happens at the first mediation meeting?

Prior to the first mediation meeting the mediation solicitor will send out some general forms for both you and your partner to complete.  Those forms are there to help the mediation solicitor to understand what the issues between you are and what are each party’s hopes, wishes and concerns.  At the first mediation appointment both you and your partner will set out the issues that need to be discussed.  We will also set further dates for further information that will be required and further dates for future mediation appointments. The mediation solicitor will be responsible for managing the mediation process for both of you.
How many mediation sessions will be required?

The number of mediation meetings depends upon the various issues and the complexity of those issues between the parties. However, as a guide, it is not uncommon for there to be between 3 to 5 sessions in many cases but it is important to point out each case may be different.  For a meditation involving the family finances both parties are usually required to exchange financial information, the mediation solicitor will then consider the various options that may be available to you.  The mediation solicitor invite both of you to seek further legal or financial advice to assist you with the understanding and the consideration of the various options that are generated during the discussions.  It is important to emphasise that the mediation solicitor and the mediation process encourages both parties to obtain advice both before, during and after the mediation process. This promotes clarity and understanding and helps to avoid agreements ‘unravelling’.
How is agreement reached?

Once both you and your partner have reached an agreement that you both find acceptable, the mediation solicitor will prepare a summary of those proposals together with a further document in financial cases setting out a summary of the financial information that has been provided during the mediation process.  Both you and your partner will then spend some time with your respective lawyers going through the proposals and receiving legal advice on them. If you are both happy with those proposals then that summary will be converted into an appropriate legal binding document in order for those proposals to be implemented.
What happens if mediation breaks down?

Mediation is a voluntary process and there are occasions when mediation can break down.  It is important to emphasise that the discussions within mediation are private and confidential.  No proposals between the parties are binding until it has been converted into a legal document.  If mediation does break down then both parties continue to have the full options of pursuing other ways of resolving their disputes including through the Court system.
How much is it going to cost?

Our mediation solicitor charges £175 per hour for both the mediation sessions and for preparation.  Those costs can be paid by either party or shared depending upon what has been agreed. The number of meetings depends on each case, please see our section above entitled ‘How many mediation sessions will be required?’

Generally a successful mediation can be a very cost effective way of resolving family disputes between couples.
What if I am concerned that my partner will dominate or take over the mediation session?

Mediation solicitors are trained to be neutral and are skilled in assessing and addressing any imbalances that may occur. They will also ensure that the mediation sessions are comfortable and relaxed. The fundamental core of mediation is that both parties are able to engage on an informed and voluntary basis.
Where will the mediation sessions venue be held?

At Crisp & Co we have offices in both Guildford and Kingston. The contact details are as follows:

  • GUILDFORD: Turret House, 77 Portsmouth Road, Guildford, Surrey GU98SZ
    TEL:01483 570810
  • KINGSTON: Parman House, Fife Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT11SY
    TEL:0208 5467969
What should I do next if I am interested in mediation?

Please do contact us and ask to speak to Simon Clark or Henry Crisp on one of the above phone numbers. Simon or Henry will be happy to answer any questions that you have on mediation to help you decide whether it may be right for you and your partner.
Print pagePrintable Version