Dump divorce day and make mediation a resolution instead
New Year is the peak time for couples to consider divorce or separation - but Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly is encouraging families to consider mediation as an alternative to going to court.
“New Year is a time when couples can decide to part ways - but by turning to mediation instead of the courts people can take charge of their own futures and work towards a better outcome for everyone involved”, Mr Djanogly says.
“Mediation is a quicker, cheaper and more amicable alternative, particularly where children are concerned as it gives parents the space they need to think about the best interests of the child – not just in the short term, but for the future too.”
Since April 2011, anyone setting out to contest the terms of their separation in court will first be required to consider mediation, and the government has made funding available so that anyone going through the process qualifies for a free information and assessment meeting. At this meeting we can establish whether your case is suitable for mediation, and whether you qualify for further funding to complete the mediation process.
Marilyn Webster, CEO of Mediation Works, says “It’s worth bearing in mind that even if you don’t qualify for further funding, mediation is a financially effective way of agreeing arrangements for the future. Using the legal process alone could cost you between £1,000 to £2,000 to agree the arrangements for your children or up to £10,000 to resolve disputes over finance and property.
“We’re proud of our very high success rate in this field, and we’re pleased that the Government is backing the use of mediation in divorce cases. A lot of people feel that mediation isn’t for them – they doubt their ability to take part. Meeting with a properly trained and experienced mediator gives them the confidence to see that it can work. Mediation is much more likely to produce lasting solutions as it provides a framework for shared decision making – which in turn produces decisions that are more likely to suit everyone involved - and it gives people the skills to renegotiate in the future as circumstances change, so that they don’t have to keep going back to court each time.”
New Year is the peak time for couples to consider divorce or separation - but Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly is encouraging families to consider mediation as an alternative to going to court.
“New Year is a time when couples can decide to part ways - but by turning to mediation instead of the courts people can take charge of their own futures and work towards a better outcome for everyone involved”, Mr Djanogly says.
“Mediation is a quicker, cheaper and more amicable alternative, particularly where children are concerned as it gives parents the space they need to think about the best interests of the child – not just in the short term, but for the future too.”
Since April 2011, anyone setting out to contest the terms of their separation in court will first be required to consider mediation, and the government has made funding available so that anyone going through the process qualifies for a free information and assessment meeting. At this meeting we can establish whether your case is suitable for mediation, and whether you qualify for further funding to complete the mediation process.
Marilyn Webster, CEO of Mediation Works, says “It’s worth bearing in mind that even if you don’t qualify for further funding, mediation is a financially effective way of agreeing arrangements for the future. Using the legal process alone could cost you between £1,000 to £2,000 to agree the arrangements for your children or up to £10,000 to resolve disputes over finance and property.
“We’re proud of our very high success rate in this field, and we’re pleased that the Government is backing the use of mediation in divorce cases. A lot of people feel that mediation isn’t for them – they doubt their ability to take part. Meeting with a properly trained and experienced mediator gives them the confidence to see that it can work. Mediation is much more likely to produce lasting solutions as it provides a framework for shared decision making – which in turn produces decisions that are more likely to suit everyone involved - and it gives people the skills to renegotiate in the future as circumstances change, so that they don’t have to keep going back to court each time.”