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Generally speaking
Family disputes resolved through mediation are cheaper, quicker, less
acrimonious and longer lasting than those that are settled through the
courts. While the Court of Appeal has stated that solicitors should
advise their clients to consider mediation before embarking on
litigation, research suggests that a substantial proportion of solicitors
fail their clients in this regard.
More convenient and quicker
At Family First Mediation your telephone call will usually be answered
by a mediator and not by a telephonist. If you need to know whether you
are likely to feel comfortable with a Family First mediator, you will
be able to assess whether your type of concerns are understood before
you make your first appointment. You will be able to make your first
appointment immediately. The family mediator will give you a choice of
attending with your partner/former partner or on your own.
Research shows that litigated cases take about four times that of
non-mediated cases. Family First Mediation is a dedicated family
mediation service and, as such, they are one of the few specialist
family mediation services in London.
There is usually much less waiting time for clients to see a family
mediator than through most other services that provide family mediation
services.
Family First mediators do not, as part of their main practice,
conduct litigation. Graham Lyons (see below) has handled in excess of
1000 mediation cases and thus has the ability, experience and breadth
of background to enable clients to feel they are in accessible and safe
hands, whether their matters are to do with property and finances,
child only issues or both.
Less acrimony in child and financial mediation
Research shows that family mediated cases have a less acrimonious
outcome than cases resolved in other ways and that the outcomes in
family mediation are longer lasting than other cases.
Benefits of family mediation in Financial issues
In nearly every financial and property matter, you will be required to
complete form E (full and frank financial disclosure is required).
Solicitors should tell you that they cannot give you clear advice on
how assets are likely to be sorted out until both parties have made
full disclosure of assets and liabilities and cash flow (income less
outgoings). If you and your partner/former partner go to see a family
mediator, you will complete the process of financial disclosure in much
less time than through a solicitor. As a result, you will avoid being
subjected to dealing with your partner’s solicitor's written demands,
which so often end in court for a Directions Hearing for Financial
Disclosure in front of a judge.
Costs/fees
If your partner/former partner is eligible for Legal Aid, you will be
able to attend the initial intake session for no cost; the meeting will
be funded by the Legal Services Commission. Similarly, at the end of
family mediation, your Legally Aided partner will be able to use their
solicitor to lodge the agreed statement (Consent Order) in court with a
much reduced cost to you.
Family First private mediation fees are shared between our clients.
It seems likely from research that the average cost of solicitor cases
is more than double that of mediated cases. Our private clients
generally complete mediation for between £1,200 to £2,000 per person
whereas solicitor paying clients generally pay £5,000-£8,000 per person
and upwards to complete their case.
Our mediators
Graham Lyons
Graham was initially in business before he became a practising
barrister from 1972-2007. He set up this mediation practice in 2001
which he now administers as well as being the principal practice family
mediator. He has long experience in commercial matters and in dealing
with high value family cases. He has trained those applying to become
family and commercial and civil mediators.
He is a married family man, has a certificate in counselling, a
diploma in Child Protection, has long experience in handling child
abuse cases and also in handling high emotion cases involving parents,
new partners and children, and is approved to work with children.
Juliet Wilkinson
Juliet completed her family mediation training in 2007 enabling her to
see private paying clients. Juliet has mediated in neighbourhood
dispute cases since 2004 and became competent to handle victim/offender
mediation in 2006. This experience enhances her understanding of high
conflict cases and their possible resolution.
Her experience as a director of a property company and as a
Community Development manager gives her a broad appreciation of
property.
Feel free to phone us on 07773 701062 or email info@familyfirstmediation.co.uk
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