Mediation is a process by which parties who are in dispute try to reach an agreement and/or reach an improved level of understanding of the other party’s views in respect of issues or problems, with the help of a trained, impartial, mediator.

In a family law setting, this involves the parties working with each other and the mediator, during a series of meetings. The process is entirely voluntary. It is also confidential.

Typically, ‘family mediation’ (i.e mediation in the context of separation and divorce), will focus on resolving financial and property disputes as well as issues concerning children. However, one of the key principles of mediation is flexibility – the process can focus on whatever issues or concerns that are important to those involved.

The significant benefit to using mediation is that it allows for constructive dialogue. It provides a ‘safe space’ in a neutral setting for parties to directly engage in the issues which matter to them.

Quite often, there can be a considerable amount of cross-over between the parties in terms of what matters to them, particularly around children. This can easily be lost or forgotten about using more traditional (and, arguably, confrontational) methods of dispute resolution.