SOLENT FAMILY MEDIATION CHRISTCHURCH
Mediation for families and businesses in Christchurch. Speak to Solent Family Mediation for dispute resolution.
Mediation for families and businesses in Christchurch. Speak to Solent Family Mediation for dispute resolution.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to methods used to resolve disputes without resorting to traditional, expensive, and time-consuming court action.
For individuals and businesses in Christchurch, ADR methods like mediation and arbitration offer a faster, more cost-effective, and private way to reach lasting agreements.
Mediation is the most widely promoted form of ADR, particularly in family disputes, and offers several significant advantages over court proceedings
Faster and More Cost-Effective: Court proceedings can take many months or even years. Mediation is typically completed in a matter of weeks, significantly reducing legal fees and allowing families and businesses to move forward sooner.
Confidential and Private: Unlike court hearings, which are often public, mediation sessions are confidential. This is essential for protecting the privacy and reputation of families and businesses dealing with sensitive financial or personal matters.
Control Over the Outcome: In court, a judge makes a decision based on the law. In mediation, you and the other party have complete control, allowing for solutions that better fit your family’s circumstances or your business’s specific needs.
Preserves Relationships: Mediation encourages cooperative problem-solving and open communication, which helps reduce conflict and hostility. This is crucial for separating parents who need to maintain a positive co-parenting relationship long after their separation is finalized.
ADR encompasses various processes where a neutral third party assists those in conflict. The goal is always to find a mutually acceptable resolution outside of the formal court system.
The most common forms of ADR available in the UK, including Christchurch, include:
| Method | Description | Role of Neutral Party | Outcome |
| Mediation | A voluntary and confidential discussion facilitated by a trained mediator. | Facilitator; helps communication and agreement, but does not impose a decision. | Non-binding agreement (can be made legally binding by a court). |
| Arbitration | A formal process where both parties present their case to a private arbitrator. | Arbitrator hears evidence and renders a binding decision. | Binding decision (similar to a court judgement). |
| Collaborative Law | Lawyers and clients commit to resolving issues through a series of four-way meetings without going to court. | Lawyers act as advisers and facilitators, helping the parties negotiate directly. | A decision is reached together. This can be made legally binding in court |
Before applying to the Family Court in Southampton for most child or financial orders, you must first attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
FASTER AND MORE COST EFFECTIVE – Court proceedings can take many months or even years. Mediation is typically completed in a matter of weeks, significantly reducing legal fees and allowing families and businesses to move forward sooner.
CONFIDENTIAL AND PRIVATE – Unlike court hearings, which are often public, mediation sessions are confidential. This is essential for protecting the privacy and reputation of families and businesses dealing with sensitive financial or personal matters.
CONTROL OVER THE OUTCOME – In court, a judge imposes a decision based on legal precedent. In mediation, you and the other party retain complete control, allowing for creative, bespoke solutions that better fit your family’s unique circumstances or your business’s specific needs.
PRESERVES RELATIONSHIPS – Mediation encourages cooperative problem-solving and open communication, which helps reduce conflict and hostility. This is crucial for separating parents who need to maintain a positive co-parenting relationship long after their separation is finalised.
Family Mediation is highly used in the Christchurch area for helping separating couples resolve issues related to:
Child Arrangements: Determining where children will live, how much time they spend with each parent (contact/visitation), and decisions about schooling or medical treatment.
Financial Settlements: Dividing marital assets and debts, including property, pensions, savings, and investments, and agreeing on spousal or child maintenance.
The Mandatory First Step: The MIAM. In the UK, if you wish to apply to the Family Court for an order regarding children or financial matters, you are legally required to first attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), unless a specific exemption applies. Our Christchurch-based accredited mediators offer this initial meeting to explain the process and assess the case’s suitability for mediation.
Financial Assistance Available; Residents of Christchurch and Dorset may be eligible for financial support for mediation services:
1. Legal Aid: If you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, you may qualify for Legal Aid, which covers the entire cost of the MIAM and all subsequent mediation sessions.
2. Government Voucher Scheme: A temporary government scheme often provides a financial contribution (up to £500) toward the costs of joint mediation sessions. Our accredited mediators can assess eligibility and apply for this on your behalf.
For businesses operating in the Christchurch and wider Dorset area, mediation is increasingly used for resolving disputes such as:
By using mediation, businesses can protect their reputations, maintain ongoing commercial relationships, and avoid having their internal affairs exposed through public litigation.
We offer mediation hubs around the Solent Region.
Offering Civil and Family Mediation, Legal Aid Mediation.
Strictly by Appointment Only.
Location is not staffed.
Mediation and urgent MIAM appointments can be arranged online
Our Christchurch Hub – Find us at;
Pipers Drive, Christchurch BH23 4TR
Call our team to book your mediation on 0238 161 1051