For families in Eastleigh and the surrounding areas, choosing Solent family mediation over litigation in the Family Court offers significant advantages in terms of cost, speed, emotional impact, and control over the outcome.
Mediation is designed to be a constructive, forward-looking process that allows you and your ex-partner to make your own decisions, while the court process is adversarial and involves a judge imposing a decision on you.
Find out why Family Mediation is the best solution for resolving disputes around divorce and child access
Mediation is overwhelmingly faster and cheaper than contested court proceedings.
MEDIATION
Cost-Effective: The average cost of a divorce resolved through mediation is typically between £600 and £1,000 per person, which is a fraction of the cost of litigation.
Fast Resolution: Agreements are often reached in 3 to 5 sessions, meaning the entire process can take just a few weeks or months. The average time for a mediated case is around 110 days.
Financial Support: You may qualify for free Legal Aid or receive up to £500 towards your costs via the government’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.
FAMILY COURT
High Cost: Contested court cases involving solicitors can easily cost between £15,000 and £30,000 per person for financial disputes and can be in the region of £5,000 to £10,000 for complex children cases.
Time-Consuming: Due to court backlogs, reaching a final court order can take many months, or even years, for complex cases. The average length of a child arrangements case can be around 41 weeks.
Costs Risk: While rare, a judge can order you to pay some or all of your ex-partner’s legal fees if you are deemed to have acted unreasonably (e.g., by refusing to attend mediation without a good reason).
Solent Family Mediation in Southampton helps separating couples resolve issues such as child arrangements, finances and property without going to court.
Our trained mediators provide a calm, confidential and impartial space where both sides can talk openly and work toward practical agreements. The aim is to reduce stress, save time and avoid the cost of legal battles while keeping the focus on fair and constructive solutions for everyone involved.
From family mediation around child arrangements or civil disputes over wills, probates, business, commercial or employment. Solent Mediation is your best solution to finding peaceful solutions and moving forward.
Arrange a callback here with a mediation expert or speak to us on 0238 161 1051.
| Feature | Mediation | Family Court |
| Decision-Maker | You and your ex-partner remain in control of the outcome. | A Judge makes the final decisions that are legally imposed upon you. |
| Flexibility | Highly flexible, allowing for creative, tailor-made solutions that fit your family’s unique circumstances in Eastleigh. | Decisions are based strictly on legal principles and precedents, offering limited flexibility. |
| Confidentiality | The discussions and negotiations are confidential and cannot be used against you in court (unless there are welfare concerns). | Court proceedings are typically public (though child cases are in private), and filed documents and testimony are part of the legal record. |
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 Eastleigh Hub – Find us at;
29 Whieldon Way Eastleigh SO50 9SB
Call our team to book your mediation on 0238 161 1051