FAMILY MEDIATION
CONNECT
Communicating with ex partners can be overwhelming and conflictual.
However, sometimes contact is essential to come to post separation / divorce agreements, and to ensure any children are put at the forefront of any decision making.
I can provide mediation that will help you communicate in a safe space, and come to agreements that will help pave the way for the future ahead. I come with empathy, understanding, and a desire to facilitate the best possible outcome for all.
CALM
I facilitate clients to express themselves without fear of reproach or volatility. I protect clients from unacceptable conduct, and encourage respectful discussions, with the issue at hand at the centre of the session.
Clients can expect to have a safe space in which to resolve issues calmly.
types of mediation
-
If you are and your partner are separating or divorcing, the arrangements regarding children can be tough to resolve. Custody, contact and living arrangements are just some of the issues that often need resolving.
If you have not been able to come to an agreement between you, mediation may be the next step, to avoid the stress and expense of allowing the court to decide.
In a calm and respectful environment with full accountability, you will be encouraged to agree (on a temporary or permanent basis) on what arrangements are in the best interests of the child/children.
-
So, you are separated/divorcing. Where do you both live? Who stays in the familial/joint home? And who has to find somewhere else to go? Will you have to sell the house?
This is a tough issue, however, with reasoned discussions, and a controlled space in which to navigate options, all property related and financial agreements can be made with a future focussed framework in mind.
-
Parents and guardians are not the only people who can suffer at the hands of a separation. Extended family may feel excluded from younger children in their family, and if communications have broken down with one or both parents, mediation can be a great way of connecting extended family, and coming to a contact agreement that will benefit children and all parties.
-
Families can experience conflict for a variety of reasons.
Family members can fall out over money, living arrangements, care arrangement for sick relatives, as well as more personal issues. Mediation can help bring families to a resolution on issues that may have spiralled out of control.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The first step is to make contact with me via the website or at mona@monascottnorman.com. You can tell me the issue/s you would like to resolve and ask me anything you would like to know about the process.
If you are happy to proceed, and it is agreed that mediation may be suitable for you, you can contact the other party/parties to invite them to mediate, or I can do this for you.
The next step is a 60 minute consultation (this is also called a MIAM, a Mandatory Information & Assessment Meeting) with both parties separately. During the consultations, I gather information to assess whether mediation is appropriate, and I provide you with information about the process.
If appropriate, the first mediation session takes place with all parties present, and may take 90 minutes. I may co-mediate with another mediator How many sessions you need will depend on the complexity of the case, and number of issues that need resolving.
I work in partnership with 2Mediate.
The process of mediation follows the structure below:
1 – We establish the framework of mediation.
2 – You both clarify the issues you would like to discuss.
3 – You explore the issues in turn.
4 – You are encouraged to generate potential options.
5 – Agreements are secured.
FAQ’s
-
No. Agreements that are made can be withdrawn from at a later date if it the agreement is not used by a solicitor to inform a court approved child arrangements agreement, financial agreement, or other relevant agreement.
-
You may be eligible for the £500 government voucher scheme which can be used towards mediation - link here: Mediation Voucher Scheme
However, I am unable to accept voucher scheme applicants at present.
-
Regrettably, at this time I am not able to accept legal aid applications.
-
Generally speaking, I would not advocate mediation for parties who have experienced domestic abuse at the hands of one of the parties. This is due to the risk of further harm taking place during mediation.
Please contact me to discuss your situation in this case.
-
Some clients simply do not want to face their ex partner or indeed a family member with whom contact has been historically difficult. If parties agree, mediation can be arranged separately, where parties would only speak with me. Please contact me to discuss.
-
If a party is resisting mediation, I can assist by opening up communications with other parties. However, ultimately, the decision to mediate is down to all parties agreeing to do so.
-
Remote mediation can present less barriers to mediation and provide a less overwhelming space for clients. Some clients prefer in person mediation - and my comfortable, discreet rooms are situated in Henley town centre.
-
65% of mediations have an agreement outcome, however, if an agreement or partial agreement cannot be reached after a number of sessions, then there are other options outside of mediation which I can signpost you to.
-
I am a fully trained Family Mediator and currently working towards full accreditation.
FEES
miam CONSULTATIONS
£80 per person
An introductory chat, and 60 minute consultations with all parties (videocall or phonecall)
A MIAM is a Mandatory Information and Assessment Meeting which must happen with each party separately pre mediation. There is absolutely no obligation to continue if party/parties do not wish to go ahead.
mediation session
£100 per person per session
1 × 90 minute session with all parties (videocall or phonecall)
At a total cost of £200, this includes a written summary post session, to clarify what was discussed.