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FAMILY
MEDIATION SERVICE
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What is Family
Mediation?
Family
Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process which supports joint
decision making away from the court setting. There is now a strong
emphasis from Courts and the Government on people resolving issues in
mediation.
Mediation is a
process where you remain in control of the decision making process and
reach proposals with your former partner with the help of an impartial
third party, a fully trained Mediator. An initial meeting with each
party is held where information is given about mediation and you can
make an informed decision about whether mediation could be a good way
forward. There is no obligation or commitment to continue with the
process, but it is always a good idea to attend to find about more
about mediation and so that a Mediator can assess your eligibility for
legal aid.
You don’t
have to be married or have children to use the service. Mediation is
also available for example for same sex former partners, grandparents
and other family members.
Mediation can assist with things such as:
- property and finances,
including pensions, assets and liabilities
- planning a separation,
divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership
- parenting arrangements
- the time children spend
with family members
- what to say to children
- finding out the views of
children and young people
People deciding
to use mediation will find it is considerably cheaper (and often much
quicker and less stressful) than using legal processes. A mediator
will always point out the importance of taking independent legal
advice and there is no reason why you should not have a solicitor
whilst mediation is under way. Mediators always remain impartial –
they cannot take sides – but whilst they can not advise you, they can
provide a wealth of information and help signpost you to other
services.
Impact
Family Mediation Service is affiliated to National Family Mediation
(NFM).
NFM is a founder body of the Family Mediation
Council, the body which sets and maintains high standards for the
profession and is recognised by the Legal Services Commission (LSC)
and Ministry of Justice as the regulatory body for publicly funded
family mediation. Our service holds the LSC Quality Mark for practice
and standards and has an LSC contract to offer Family Mediation in
Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead.
Impact Family Mediation service has an excellent record in assisting
people to negotiate agreed proposals for settlement in mediation.
How do I access
the Family Mediation Service?
There are
several ways in which you can be referred to mediation:
Self Referral:
It is best to make your own referral to our service by completing and
e-mailing a mediation referral form, which can be downloaded by
clicking on the link below. Alternatively you can telephone us on 0191
5678282.
Via
solicitor:
If you have a
solicitor, you can ask your solicitor to make a referral to us. In any
case, most solicitors will talk to you about mediation as an option
for you.
Pre court
Application:
You or your solicitor, if you have one, should
make a referral to mediation prior to issuing any court proceedings;
(there are some exceptions to this, but this is the general rule).
There is a clear expectation that you should attend an initial meeting
to find out more about mediation. This is because courts want to know
that you have given proper and informed consideration to alternatives
to court proceedings, such as mediation or collaborative law. The
court can order a party to the proceedings to attend a meeting with a
mediator if such a meeting has not been attended, so it is always a
good idea to attend in any case, prior to issuing any court
proceedings.
Mediation
Information Meeting: (via court as a Contact Activity Order:)
Courts
have powers to order someone to attend an initial information meeting
to find out more about mediation and to consider it as an option. This
is one reason why it is always a good idea to attend an information
meeting in any case.
Mediation
Venues
We currently offer Family Mediation appointments at 3 venues in
Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead:
All the administration
for Family Mediation is done from
our Sunderland base and can be contacted on: 0191 567 8282 or
email us on
gill.docherty@impactfs.co.uk (this emaill address should
also be used to return completed referral forms).
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Impact Family Services
Family Mediation Services
36 West
Sunniside
Sunderland
SR1 1BU
MAP
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Impact
Family Services
Family Mediation
Services
C/o West
Harton Churches Action Station
85-91 Boldon Lane
South
Shields
Tyne & Wear
NE34 0AS
MAP |
Impact Family Services
Family Mediation
Services
C/o
Gateshead Advice Centre
Davison Building
Swan Street
Gateshead
Tyne & Wear
NE8 1BG
MAP |
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