Mediation Cost vs Solicitors

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stratford family mediation contact

In 2013 “nearly two thirds of couples who attended a single mediation session for a child dispute reached a full agreement. Almost seven out of every ten couples who opted for mediation reached an agreement.” 

Source: Ministry of Justice 20 August 2014

 

Mediated (legal Aid) cases Non-mediated (legal aid) court cases
Average cost £535 £2,823
Average duration 110 days 435 days

 

Source: National Audit Office/FMA

 

Legally aided mediation cases tended on average to cost less than those where mediation had not been tried

 

AVERAGE FUNDING PER PERSON OF CASE IN WHICH MEDIATION HAS BEEN TRIED    £ AVERAGE FUNDING PER PERSON OF CASES WHEN MEDIATION HAS NOT BEEN TRIED   £ AVG ‘SAVING’ OF MEDIATED CASES ON NON-MEDIATED CASES

             £
CASES INVOLVING CHILD ISSUES 726 1,746 1,021
CASES INVOLVING FINANCIAL ISSUES 711 1,510 799
CASES INVOLVING CHILD AND FINANCE ISSUES 785 1,743 958
ALL CASES 752 1,682 930

 

Source: National Audit Office analysis of Legal Services Commission data 2007

 

PRINCIPLES OF MEDIATION

There are four core principles governing family mediation:

  • Mediation is voluntary.
  • Mediation is confidential, except where there is risk of harm to a child or vulnerable adult or where the court requires disclosure. (See Data Protection)
  • Mediators are impartial; they facilitate negotiation towards settlement and have no vested interest in the outcome.
  • Decision making rests with participants in mediation.

 

Underpinned by:

  • Suitability and safety.
  • Respect for individuals and cultural diversity.
  • Child focus.
  • Mediator competence.

 

Mediation is NOT:

  • Reconciliation
  • Counselling or therapy
  • A substitute for legal advice
  • An opportunity to impose views upon the other party to the mediation
  • An opportunity to abuse or bully participants to the mediation process
  • Legally binding
  • Imposed

Source: FMA 

 

More detailed information on Using Mediation to Help You Separate is available from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ending-a-relationship/how-to-separate/mediation-to-help-you-separate/

 

Or the Family Mediators Association website: https://thefma.co.uk/about-family-mediation/