Mediation Benefits - 10th February, 2006

WARRING COUPLES MISSING OUT ON MEDIATION BENEFITS


Many divorcing and separating couples have been missing out on a well-kept secret which could save them money – and heartache.

That’s the message from mediators who are involved in a campaign to bring the positive message about the benefits which mediation can bring to couples facing family breakdown.

By sitting down together with a trained mediator (often an experience family lawyer), thousands of couples all over Britain have been managing to resolve all the issues which need to be resolved on their separation or divorce without the need for costly court battles.

And, says Mary Gracie of CMA Mediation, this applies at both ends of the social scale.

For examples, Dave and Jane had already spent about £5,000 each on legal costs and this included involving expert witnesses to argue about pension valuations and properties they owned. They had assets worth £500,000. Court proceedings had already started and they envisaged having to find another £5,000 each for barristers and further court hearings before the issues could be resolved. In the meantime, their relationship, already difficult, was becoming worse and worse and, naturally, the children were very much in the middle. It took five sessions and about £850 each for them to sort this out in mediation.

Another couple, both of whom were able to get legal aid, had had many problems over recent months, including problems with drugs and alcohol. Emma had just had a baby and had refused to let Ian see him. In fact, both had, of their own accord, started receiving alcohol and drugs counselling and support, but things had got so bad that Ian had not seen the baby since birth and Emma did not trust him to do so. There was a lot of potential goodwill on both sides, but very little trust. They just needed two experienced mediators to help them talk things through and to start what was initially contact between Dad and the baby at a supervised contact centre. Within six weeks of the first session, they had, off their own bat, increased this to two sessions per week, one at Mum’s flat and Mum brought the baby to the final session; Dad holding the baby throughout most of the session.

Couples who have tried mediation almost always find it helpful. To find out more, contact Mary Gracie at CMA Mediation, Churchgate House, 30 Churchgate, Bolton, BL1 1HS on 01204 526910 or e-mail on info@cma-law.co.uk .