Divorce mediation and family mediation services
Helping separating couples and families resolve disputes through constructive, cost-effective mediation without the need for court wherever possible.
Proactive mediation support to help you resolve disputes constructively and find practical solutions for the future.
Family mediation is an effective process for resolving a range of disputes in the context of a relationship breakdown or other family matter, ensuring your family stays in control of arrangements over children, property and finance.
The mediation sessions provide a flexible, bespoke process that brings you and the other party together to help identify, discuss and resolve the issues that you need to address. It is a voluntary process where you decide the issues that you want to address, to hopefully reach an agreement.
- Our flexible approach allows you to choose the level of support you need, with clear pricing and no unnecessary work.
- Trusted family law experts who advise families with practical solutions that prioritise children’s wellbeing.
- We help clients find constructive solutions wherever possible, reducing conflict, minimising costs and avoiding the stress of court proceedings.
- Backed by a leading full-service law firm, with access to other specialist legal advice whenever you need it.
Our mediation service
Our mediation service is led by Paul Linsell, a fully accredited family mediator trained through Resolution and registered with the Family Mediation Council. Paul provides a calm, impartial environment where separating couples and families can have constructive discussions, helping them reach informed decisions about their future.
As well as traditional family mediation, Paul is qualified to conduct hybrid family mediation, where confidential discussions with each party can be used to overcome barriers and help negotiations progress more effectively.
Paul’s role is to guide discussions, provide relevant information and help you identify what matters most, while ensuring you have the support needed to make practical decisions. He does not take sides or make decisions for you, but helps both parties explore workable solutions.
Paul can also conduct Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs), complete the necessary court documentation and provide access to the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, where eligible clients may receive a contribution of up to £500 towards mediation costs.
With specialist accreditations in TOLATA and Schedule 1 Children Act matters, Paul also advises on disputes involving unmarried couples, property ownership and financial provision for children.
Unlike many mediation providers, Boyes Turner is a regulated family law firm, giving you the reassurance of professional standards, accountability and access to specialist legal expertise. We also support clients who are already engaged in mediation, helping them prepare for sessions and work effectively alongside their solicitor.
Fully accredited mediator
Paul was trained via Resolution and is registered with the Family Mediation Council.
Experienced in mediation
Paul has vast experience in helping clients reach informed agreements and put positive arrangements in place for their future.
Fully regulated family mediation service
Unlike many mediation providers, we are a regulated law firm, giving you the reassurance of expert legal oversight and professional accountability.
Family mediation FAQs
What are the benefits of mediation?
There are many benefits to mediation, including:
- Protection of relationships – many couples who separate wish to remain on good terms and avoid a heated, ongoing dispute. Mediation enables you to work together to resolve the practical issues you need to address but with the security of expert guidance.
- Better future interactions – it is important to remember that you may need to maintain an ongoing relationship with the other party on some level; for example, co-parenting together. Mediation can help you to understand each other’s perspective better, improve communications between you, and lay the foundations for a successful method of resolving issues. This can have a profound impact on the future interactions and benefit the entire family.
- Child-focused – if you have children, mediation will focus on the impact any decisions might have on them at all times, helping you to ensure the best interests of your children are always properly considered and protected.
- Empowering – not only are you in control of the process, but you will also be empowered to make the choices for you and your family, being guided every step of the way by the mediator.
- Flexible – the process is bespoke and can be adapted to suit your needs, going at the pace needed for you.
- Convenient – the mediation sessions can be arranged at a time, place and in a manner that fits around your life.
- Cost-effective – mediation is often a less expensive way to resolve matters, particularly when compared to a formal court process.
- Speed – it can be possible to move forward much more quickly via mediation.
- Private – the process is confidential and any discussions regarding financial settlement are ‘without prejudice’ meaning they must be kept confidential between yourself and any advisors.
What is the process of mediation?
Mediation is a process where the parties come together to discuss and resolve issues with the help of a neutral third party mediator.
The goal is to allow everyone’s concerns to be heard, and to reach an agreement. The amount of sessions required and type of mediation offered will depend on the case and it’s complexity.
During the mediation process, all parties can give their perspective, provide evidence, explain their ideal outcome, and offer solutions. The mediator will guide the conversation to ensure all parties perspectives and needs are understood, to keep the discussions focussed and ensure the right pace is adopted.
If an agreement is reached, there is the option for the mediator to draft up a legal document for both parties. If an agreement has not been reached, your mediation can also explore the other options that have to be considered, including other dispute resolution processes and, if necessary, court.
Does mediation work?
Yes. It is rare for parties to begin mediation believing they will leave with an agreement. Despite this, most mediations result in an agreement.
If that does not happen for you, then you can still explore other avenues for resolving the issues you need to address, including other types of alternative dispute resolution and as a last resort, court proceedings. Even in those circumstances, there is still often a benefit of the family mediation process, as it can be useful in narrowing the issues between you, even if you cannot agree on everything. This will often expedite any alternative process that may still be required and save significant costs.
When should you go to mediation?
It is sensible to explore the option of mediation early on if you think it is something that might work for you. The earlier mediation is considered, the less likely it is that costs will have been incurred on any alternative processes or that views will have become fortified on certain issues.
However, mediation is usually an option at any stage of your relationship breakdown process and irrespective of whether a court process has begun or not.
We have experience of successfully assisting in mediation at any time from the very outset or just before a contested court hearing. It is not uncommon for mediation to be re-considered once a court process has commenced and the realities of that process are laid bare, including the financial and emotional costs it often entails. Mediation can run alongside any other formal process if desired.
Where will mediation take place?
Mediation can either take place online, or at our offices in Reading or at another agreed neutral location.
The process is flexible to suit the needs of you and your family. Traditionally, mediation takes place with the parties and mediator in the same room. However, it is possible to break-out into separate rooms where appropriate or to conduct the entire mediation in separate rooms (known as ‘shuttle mediation’), potentially even at different times or on different dates if required so that the parties do not come face to face.
There is also the option of remote mediation via video call, which is becoming increasingly popular due to the added convenience and time savings.
Is mediation compulsory?
Many people choose to attend mediation to gain the benefits it can bring, but it is a completely voluntary process.
Although mediation is voluntary, before starting most types of court proceedings there is a requirement to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (“MIAM”) to ensure mediation has been carefully considered. If you do not do this then it can result in a court application being paused or dismissed.
Most family court judges will actively encourage parties to attend mediation and will not only expect it to have been carefully considered before progressing a court application, but may also adjourn proceedings to allow time for mediation if appropriate. There are also rules in place in most family law proceedings that stipulate the parties must have considered non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) processes properly, of which mediation is the most common process, and not unreasonably refused to engage in them. If it is later found that a party unreasonably refused to engage, then there can be orders made against them to meet the other party’s costs.
Do both parties pay for mediation?
In most cases, both parties pay towards the costs of mediation. As there are multiple ways it can be split, it is important that before you start mediation that you decide how the costs involved will be paid.
It is most common for both parties to pay 50% each. However, some families or couples have savings where the costs are paid from, or in other cases, one person may pay for the costs with the agreement this will be paid back in the financial divorce settlement. When mediating on financial matters, it is often important to consider that the costs are likely reducing the amount available to the parties, irrespective of who is actually paying.
Depending on the issues, it is often possible to access the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, where the government provides a non-means tested contribution towards the costs of mediation.
How much does mediation cost?
The cost of mediation depends on a few factors, but ultimately the overall cost will depend on the number of, and complexity of, the issues involved.
Mediation sessions and the work around those is usually charged on an hourly rate basis, or by a session cost if fixed fees are agreed. It is common for the mediator to do work outside the sessions, such as reviewing financial information, to help facilitate discussions. They may also have to draft up documents such as financial settlements or other outcome agreements.
When considering mediation costs, it is important to understand whether charges are per person or per couple. It is also important to note that there can often be other costs alongside the mediation, such as costs for surveyor’s reports, pension or other expert reports, or costs for legal advice for changing a will.
It is best to discuss your specific circumstances in a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), where a better estimate of your costs can be given as part of a full assessment of whether mediation is right for you.
Contact us
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Why use our mediation service?
Proactive advice, constructive family law solutions
We take a proactive approach to family law, helping clients put measures in place to protect their future, such as cohabitation agreements and nuptial agreements. Where disputes do arise, we focus on resolving matters constructively through negotiation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution wherever possible.
Trusted, specialist advice you can rely on
As a regulated law firm, we are held to strict professional standards, giving you confidence that your matter is handled with expertise, accountability and care. You benefit from the protection and reassurance that comes with working with an established legal practice.
We are a leading full-service law firm
Boyes Turner is recognised as a leading law firm by Chambers UK and The Legal 500. As a full-service firm, we can draw on the expertise of our specialist teams such as private wealth and property to provide seamless support whenever you need it. We also work closely with other professional services that may be beneficial to you, such as counselling, financial advice and coaching, to ensure you have the full support you require.
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Our divorce & family mediation service
At Boyes Turner, our accredited family mediator, Paul Linsell, provides a safe and confidential environment where both parties have the opportunity to be heard. We encourage open communication, helping to reduce conflict and maintain constructive relationships, particularly where children are involved.
Where agreements are reached, we can advise on the next steps to ensure they are properly documented and, where appropriate, made legally binding. If mediation is not suitable or an agreement cannot be reached, our experienced family law solicitors are on hand to provide clear legal advice and represent your interests throughout any subsequent negotiations or court proceedings.
By choosing mediation where appropriate, many families are able to save time, reduce legal costs and achieve more positive, long-lasting outcomes while maintaining greater control over the decisions that affect their future.