Family First Mediation

Family Mediation in London, the Home Counties & throughout the country (via video link)

We are a specialist all issues family mediation service committed to helping separating couples work out future arrangements for children, property and finances for private clients.

We are able to offer mediation services to private clients without the need for face-to-face meetings, via video call or phone, including loss of income, school fees problems and contact & distancing.

Family First helps you make you own decisions about what is best for you and your family in future without going to court. We will help you improve communication, resolve your conflicts and reach a workable, long-lasting solution quickly, compassionately and cost-effectively.

Our excellent team of family mediators are trained to guide you through the process to minimize the distress, cost and delay so often associated with separation and divorce.

Family First has conveniently-located offices (see Contact Us). We are qualified to undertake Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMS), provide Forms A & C100, and direct consultation with children if you feel their voice is important.

We facilitate Child-Inclusive Mediation (CIM) also known as “Direct Child Consultation”. It is a process where a mediator meets with a child. Its aim is to ensure the child’s “voice” is heard when issues relating them are being discussed by their parents. For such mediations to start both parents and the child need to register their agreement.

As we are required to be impartial and look after both parties to a family dispute, we ask you to help us avoid being heavily briefed by either potential party until both parties are engaged in mediation except just to know whether the matter is about e.g. children, property/finances or both.

Who we can help

  • Married and cohabiting couples (still living together or separated), including same-sex couples
  • Other family members involved in disputes concerning children, such as grandparents, new partners and siblings

Family Mediation Voucher Scheme:

The family mediation voucher scheme is a time-limited scheme, designed to support parties who may be able to resolve their family law disputes outside of court. The Government has set up the scheme in response to Covid-19 to support recovery in the family court and to encourage more people to consider mediation as a means of resolving their disputes, where appropriate. To support this, a financial contribution of up to £500 towards the costs of mediation will be provided, if eligible. Further details are available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation-voucher-scheme

Some of the issues that might be discussed:

Children

  • How to communicate about the children
  • What the children are thinking
  • Making key decisions about the children
  • Child maintenance

Finances and Property

  • Who lives where
  • Cash flow and who pays for what
  • Sorting out assets, debts and pensions
  • How to afford life after separation

Communication

  • How to reduce conflict
  • How to be good parents apart
  • The involvement of new partners

For further information about any aspect of our service with no obligation whatsoever, please contact us.

Family Mediation Council
Family Mediators Association
College of Mediators
Resolution