What are the 7 stages of mediation?

By Laura Hanley |
October 30, 2021
MEDIATION

Table of Contents

The Stages of Mediation – With Solent Family Mediation

Increasingly, mediation is becoming the preferred method for settling divorce and relationship dissolution concerns. In most circumstances, you will be required to demonstrate that you have at least considered mediation prior to being allowed to file for divorce in court.

Although mediation is acceptable for the vast majority of divorces, we recognise that some individuals are uncertain about how the process works, the benefits it offers, and if mediation is suitable for their particular situation. We hope to answer a few of these fundamental questions so that you feel more confident in selecting divorce mediation.

How Mediation for Divorce Works

Mediation is the process of you and your ex partner meeting with an experienced, neutral mediator to examine the details of your separation and reach an agreement on a financial settlement, child access arrangements, and any other issues that need to be resolved.

This will vary on your situation and how much progress you are able to make in each session. The average number of mediation sessions for divorcing couples is three, but this will vary based on your specific situation and how much progress you are able to achieve in each session. Any agreement reached during mediation will be voluntary, but you can petition the court for a Consent Order to make it legally obligatory.

Typically, a family court may need you to engage in a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to determine if mediation may be suitable for you as part of the divorce process.

Advantages of mediation for divorce

There are a number of key advantages to using mediation for your divorce that have added to its growing appeal.

Speed – Because you do not have to wait for a court date, it is typically considerably quicker to work through your separation through mediation than to go to court. By bringing you and your ex-partner together in a mediation meeting solutions can be found far quicker.

Cost – Mediation is generally much less expensive that court action because of the lower legal charges involved.

Avoiding dispute – The mediators job is to direct you to working on options and solutions while diffusing any potential for dispute. This not just makes the process of separation and divorce more peaceful, but can also allow you to potentially keep a better relationship with your ex. This can be highly beneficial, especially if you have kids together.

Control – Mediation enables you to keep control of your divorce, instead of leaving the decision in the hands of a judge.

Personal privacy – When you go to court, the procedures are kept in public, meaning the information of your divorce, including any financial settlement will be made public. Mediation allows you to keep your divorce personal, indicating the details will only be known to your and your spouse.

Should you use mediation for your divorce?

Mediation is appropriate for the vast majority of divorce cases. If your relationship with your spouse is extremely antagonistic, it may be difficult to keep the process constructive. Mediation may also be inappropriate in cases involving domestic violence, and a court will normally permit you to bypass the mediation requirement if this is the case.

If there are particularly complex issues to address, such as co-ownership of a business, it may be preferable to consider collective law. This includes a meeting between you and your spouse to negotiate the terms of your divorce, with each of you assisted by your solicitor educated in collective law. The objective is still to agree on an equally appropriate solution while minimising dispute; however, you will each have your own legal counsel to assist in resolving any complex issues and ensuring your interests are protected at all times.

Solent Family Mediation have several years of experience assisting people to separate and work through any issues rapidly, cost-effectively and with minimal conflict by using mediation and other non-confrontational techniques. With a sensitive however useful technique, we aim to make getting divorced as simple as possible.

To discover more about mediation for divorce, call us now on 0238 161 1051 or fill out the contact form here and we will get back to you immediately.

This not only makes the divorce process more amicable, but it can also help you maintain a better connection with your ex. Mediation is ideal for the overwhelming majority of divorce cases. Mediation may also be inappropriate in cases involving domestic violence, and a court will typically permit you to bypass the mediation obligation if this is the case.

This includes you and your spouse conference to negotiate the terms of your divorce, each of you supported by your own lawyer trained in collaborative law. The goal is still to concur a mutually acceptable solution while reducing dispute.