Sills & Betteridge | Mediation

Home new Frequently Asked Questions

Home new Frequently Asked Questions
  • How does the process work?
    Once we have been contacted by you, we will arrange an initial individual appointment for you to meet the Family Mediator. This appointment is called a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM). We will also write to the other party and invite them to attend a separate MIAM. At the MIAM you will discuss your circumstances with the Family Mediator. The Mediator will provide you with information about the process and will assess whether your circumstances are suitable for Family Mediation. You can then decide whether you think Family Mediation is right for you. If you and the other party wish to attend after you have had your MIAM, a first session is arranged that you both attend together with the Mediator. Each session lasts 1-1½ hours, following which the Family Mediator will provide a written summary of the discussions that took place.
  • Can I have a solicitor during Family Mediation? 
    Family Mediators can provide you with general information about the law and how the legal system works. We cannot, however, provide you with legal advice. Family Mediation works alongside legal advice and the Mediator will recommend that you seek advice from a solicitor either throughout or at the end of the Family Mediation process. If you are discussing financial issues following a separation, you will need a solicitor to formalise any agreement in a legally binding document.
  • How do I make an appointment?
    If you are interested in Family Mediation, you can contact us directly either by telephoning Jo Morgan on 01522 551613 or by completing our Client Contact Form. We aim to contact you within 24 hours, Monday to Friday
  • My ex-partner has contacted you and I have received a letter inviting me to a MIAM. I am worried that you will take sides with my ex.
    A Family Mediation referral will always be made by one party. This does not mean that we would take sides with either of you. Our role as a Mediator is to remain completely impartial regardless of who made the referral to us.
  • I’m worried about my safety.
    Family Mediation is a voluntary process. In some cases mediation will not be appropriate. We will assess whether your circumstances are suitable for Family Mediation during your individual meeting with the Mediator. If you are worried about your safety it is important that you discuss this with us during your individual meeting. We will make sure that you are not put in a position where you feel unsafe. We may also be able to arrange shuttle Family Mediation, where you and your ex partner sit in separate rooms.
  • Am I required to attend Family Mediation?
    Since 22nd April 2014, it has been compulsory to attend a MIAM prior to making an application to the court. Broadly-speaking, this will include applications in private law proceedings that relate to children and/or financial concerns. However, this does not mean Family Mediation is compulsory, only the initial meeting.
  • What are the benefits of Family Mediation?
    • Speed – Generally Family Mediation takes 4-8 weeks. Court proceedings can take over a year to be resolved.
    • Cost – If you pay for Family Mediation, it is cheaper than dealing with your issues through the Courts or instructing solicitors. (If you are financially eligible for Legal Aid, Family Mediation will not cost you anything.)
    • Creativity – Family Mediation allows you to be creative in dealing with the issues you need to resolve. These can include issues that the Court cannot resolve for you.
    • Control – You will always be in control of the outcome. This makes it very different from Court where ultimately a Judge would impose a decision upon you.
    • Communication – Because Family Mediation encourages you to work together to find a solution it can improve communication between you.

© Sills Mediation. Sills & Betteridge, Acclaimed Family Law, Bridge Sanderson Munro, Campions Solicitors, Sills Mediation and Moving Forward Lincolnshire are trading names of Sills & Betteridge LLP. Sills & Betteridge LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (Registered Number OC339586) and is licensed and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 499219). The term “partner” is used to refer to a senior individual at Sills & Betteridge LLP. A list of members’ names is available for inspection at the registered office: Aquis House, 18 – 28 Clasketgate, Lincoln, LN2 1JN.

  • How does the process work?
    Once we have been contacted by you, we will arrange an initial individual appointment for you to meet the Family Mediator. This appointment is called a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM). We will also write to the other party and invite them to attend a separate MIAM. At the MIAM you will discuss your circumstances with the Family Mediator. The Mediator will provide you with information about the process and will assess whether your circumstances are suitable for Family Mediation. You can then decide whether you think Family Mediation is right for you. If you and the other party wish to attend after you have had your MIAM, a first session is arranged that you both attend together with the Mediator. Each session lasts 1-1½ hours, following which the Family Mediator will provide a written summary of the discussions that took place.
  • Can I have a solicitor during Family Mediation? 
    Family Mediators can provide you with general information about the law and how the legal system works. We cannot, however, provide you with legal advice. Family Mediation works alongside legal advice and the Mediator will recommend that you seek advice from a solicitor either throughout or at the end of the Family Mediation process. If you are discussing financial issues following a separation, you will need a solicitor to formalise any agreement in a legally binding document.
  • How do I make an appointment?
    If you are interested in Family Mediation, you can contact us directly either by telephoning Jo Morgan on 01522 551613 or by completing our Client Contact Form. We aim to contact you within 24 hours, Monday to Friday
  • My ex-partner has contacted you and I have received a letter inviting me to a MIAM. I am worried that you will take sides with my ex.
    A Family Mediation referral will always be made by one party. This does not mean that we would take sides with either of you. Our role as a Mediator is to remain completely impartial regardless of who made the referral to us.
  • I’m worried about my safety.
    Family Mediation is a voluntary process. In some cases mediation will not be appropriate. We will assess whether your circumstances are suitable for Family Mediation during your individual meeting with the Mediator. If you are worried about your safety it is important that you discuss this with us during your individual meeting. We will make sure that you are not put in a position where you feel unsafe. We may also be able to arrange shuttle Family Mediation, where you and your ex partner sit in separate rooms.
  • Am I required to attend Family Mediation?
    Since 22nd April 2014, it has been compulsory to attend a MIAM prior to making an application to the court. Broadly-speaking, this will include applications in private law proceedings that relate to children and/or financial concerns. However, this does not mean Family Mediation is compulsory, only the initial meeting.
  • What are the benefits of Family Mediation?
    • Speed – Generally Family Mediation takes 4-8 weeks. Court proceedings can take over a year to be resolved.
    • Cost – If you pay for Family Mediation, it is cheaper than dealing with your issues through the Courts or instructing solicitors. (If you are financially eligible for Legal Aid, Family Mediation will not cost you anything.)
    • Creativity – Family Mediation allows you to be creative in dealing with the issues you need to resolve. These can include issues that the Court cannot resolve for you.
    • Control – You will always be in control of the outcome. This makes it very different from Court where ultimately a Judge would impose a decision upon you.
    • Communication – Because Family Mediation encourages you to work together to find a solution it can improve communication between you.

© Sills Mediation. Sills & Betteridge, Acclaimed Family Law, Bridge Sanderson Munro, Campions Solicitors, Sills Mediation and Moving Forward Lincolnshire are trading names of Sills & Betteridge LLP. Sills & Betteridge LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (Registered Number OC339586) and is licensed and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA Number 499219). The term “partner” is used to refer to a senior individual at Sills & Betteridge LLP. A list of members’ names is available for inspection at the registered office: Aquis House, 18 – 28 Clasketgate, Lincoln, LN2 1JN.