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Family First Mediation
have the experience and legal background to
help in all Family Mediation and dispute resolution issues. We have
conveniently located offices in and around London and are happy to handle both
private and legal aid cases.
Family Mediation is a process in which an impartial third person,
the mediator, assists those involved in family disputes to make
arrangements. This can be as the result of a divorce, separation, the
breakdown of same sex relationships or relationships involving other
family members. Children can be seen as part of the process.
Mediation can be used where a couple has prenuptial issues or where
they are considering separating. The process is managed by the
mediator but the issues and concerns are brought by the couple.
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The law changed on 6th April 2011 to require all
private persons who wish to take a family child, family property or
finance matter to court to first attend a mediator for a Mediation
Information and Assessment Meeting (a MIAM attendance). The matter
is then dealt with by the mediator by checking if the second party
wishes to attend for an assessment meeting and if so, mediation will
usually follow.
The National Audit Office report of March 2007 on solicitors and
mediation gave as a finding that mediation had four advantages over
Court hearings. They were that mediation when compared to going
through solicitors was significantly kinder to the family, speedier
in reaching a conclusion and less costly than going through
solicitors. In addition the report stated that an agreement that had
been processed through mediation was more long lasting and secure
from applications to vary than a Court decision.
If a mediator finds that the MIAM is unsuccessful, only the
mediator and not solicitors can issue a MIAM Form to allow a
solicitor to send the matter to Court. This Form is termed an FM1 (a
Family Mediation 1 Form).
Under current legislation, if clients are on a low income they are
very likely to qualify for free mediation.
Family First have a franchise to do legal aid work and grant legal
aid. Potential clients often make Family First their first
professional call.
Things to remember about Family First Mediation Service...
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Couples or other family members involved in a family
breakdown are helped to explore issues and concerns, and reach their
own joint decisions with the help of the mediator.
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We help couples and family members improve and develop
communication skills with their families.
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Mediation can be started before a couple separate, during
a divorce, during proceedings in relation to children and financial
issues and after any court order has been made.
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Mediation can involve members of a family other than a
couple, such as former partners, new partners, grandparents,
step-parents and children.
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Clients can always return should any new problem need
attention.
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When mediation ends, the mediator may put any agreed proposals and
understandings into writing.
If the issues involve finance, the mediator will prepare documents
setting out the clients' full financial circumstances and proposals.
Clients will be encouraged to get legal advice when that is needed.
This might be during the mediation process or when it is successfully
resolved. Solicitors will then, upon a client's request, draw up a
'consent order' to place before a Judge.
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Graham Lyons is one of about 70 mediation
supervisors in the UK.
These are termed Professional Practice Consultants (PPCs) and every mediator has to have a PPC and
attend at least four supervision hours each year.
As a supervisor (PPC), Graham has a number of supervisory duties
including assisting in the training for Legal Services Commission
competency, checking and signing off for Continuing Professional
Development (CPD), support over difficult mediation cases and
complaints.
You can therefore be sure that by using Family First Mediation,
you are allowing for the very best outcome for your situation.
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