Legal advice and mediation
Legal advice during separation.
Mediation can help you and your former partner discuss children, finances, property and future arrangements. A mediator stays neutral and does not give personal legal advice.
Recently separated?
Need to discuss finances?
Child arrangements unresolved?
Want to avoid court where possible?
Mediation is not legal advice
A mediator helps both people discuss issues fairly. A solicitor gives legal advice about your individual position.
Understanding the difference
Legal advice and mediation can work together, but they are not the same thing.
Legal advice tells you how the law applies to your personal circumstances. Mediation helps you and your former partner discuss the issues, explore options and work towards proposals that can then be reviewed by legal advisers where needed.
At Solent Family Mediation, our role is to remain impartial. We do not act for either person, take sides, pressure either party into an agreement or provide personal legal advice.
What mediation can help with
Mediation can support practical discussions around separation and divorce.
Children
Mediation can help parents discuss where children live, how time is shared, holidays, handovers, communication and wider parenting arrangements.
Finances
Mediation can help you discuss disclosure, property, savings, debts, pensions and financial proposals before legal review.
Divorce and separation
Mediation can help separate the emotional conflict from the practical decisions that need to be made after a relationship breaks down.
When legal advice may be useful
You may still need independent legal advice during or after mediation.
- Before signing or finalising a financial agreement.
- Where pensions, property or business assets are involved.
- Where there are concerns about disclosure or pressure.
- Where court proceedings have already started.
- Where you need advice about your legal rights and risks.
- Where an agreement needs to be converted into a court order.
Mediation compared with legal advice
Different roles, different purposes.
A solicitor can advise you
A solicitor can explain your legal rights, assess risk, advise on your position and prepare or review legal documents.
A mediator supports discussion
A mediator helps both people communicate, identify issues, test options and work towards proposals without taking sides.
Before mediation
You may wish to get legal advice before mediation if you are unsure about your rights, finances, safety, children or court options.
After mediation
If proposals are reached, legal advice can help you understand whether they should be formalised and whether they are suitable for your circumstances.
Legal advice and mediation questions
Do mediators give legal advice?
No. Mediators remain impartial. They may explain general information about the mediation process, but they do not advise either person on what they should do legally.
Can I use a solicitor during mediation?
Yes. Some people take legal advice before, during or after mediation. This can help you understand your position before making decisions.
Can mediation help if we disagree about finances?
Yes. Mediation can help you discuss financial disclosure, property, pensions, debts, savings and possible proposals. Legal advice may still be needed before any agreement is finalised.
Can mediation help with child arrangements?
Yes. Mediation can help parents discuss arrangements for children, including time with each parent, communication, holidays and practical parenting issues.
Do I need a MIAM before court?
In many family cases, a MIAM is required before making a court application, unless an exemption applies. The mediator will discuss suitability and next steps with you.
Useful related pages
Before your mediation session
- Write down the main issues you need to resolve.
- Gather relevant documents about finances or children.
- Consider whether you need independent legal advice.
- Think about what information is missing.
- Be clear about any safety, communication or suitability concerns.
Need help understanding your mediation options?
Contact Solent Family Mediation to discuss MIAMs, child arrangements, financial mediation and next steps.