The Advantages of Mediation Walsall as an Initial Step
Family Mediation Service Walsall
While each of these options has merit and is preferable to the traditional route of fighting it out in court until the bitter end, the message that is still missing is that, in the vast majority of cases, mediation Walsall should be the first port of call whenever there is a potential legal dispute. This logic holds true regardless of whether the dispute is between an employee and an employer, between businesses over a contract, between neighbours, or between divorcing/separated partners.
Not only does mediation offer the possibility of reaching a settlement at a fraction of the cost of legal proceedings, but it also increases the likelihood of building bridges rather than destroying them along the way, which is especially important when children are involved. When you consider the reduction in stress and the avoidance of the potential ripple effect that a high-conflict separation can have on friends and extended family members, you can see why it is critical to consider mediation first, not last, even if it requires the initial courageous decision to sit down and speak with your ex-partner when your initial instinct is to put as much distance between you as possible.
If you are going through a separation or divorce, mediation is invariably the most cost-effective and amicable way to resolve all of your issues, including the following:
- Discussing the relationship’s future options.
- Financial settlement.
- Agreeing on child care arrangements.
Mediation Walsall : What Is It?
Mediation Walsall encourages participants who have – or anticipate having – disagreements or a disagreement to sit and talk in order to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
A mediator is a trained, impartial facilitator who works with all parties involved. The discussions take place in a private setting with the goal of assisting the parties in identifying a constructive solution that satisfies their genuine interests and needs. It enables individuals to engage in effective negotiations and to seek to comprehend, narrow, and, whenever possible, resolve their disagreements or differences.
The mediator does not impose a solution; rather, the parties determine the outcome, the terms of any agreement reached, and how to proceed. Nothing said or done is enforceable against anyone unless and until they agree.
It may be used at any time, regardless of whether court or other formal proceedings are currently underway. Frequently, mediation Walsall is used in situations where litigation is ruled out and no lawyers are involved.
Numerous families face difficulties. Conflict is an inevitable part of life and can occur for a variety of reasons. Mediation can be beneficial in any family situation where there is a problem or conflict that family members are unable to resolve, particularly if those involved are unable to communicate with one another and are unable to find a solution.
For instance, if you are divorcing, divorcing, or dissolving a civil partnership, or if you have been co-parenting your children with an ex-partner, you may be struggling to manage all the practical arrangements for child care. This can be extremely challenging if you are hurt, confused, or simply angry. Family mediators can assist in this situation because they are specially trained to assist separated parents or any family members in resolving conflicts constructively.
Mediation Walsall should come first, not last!
While I am convinced that everyone involved in the legal system, from the government to solicitors, should invest significantly more energy than they currently do in encouraging people to mediate rather than litigate during divorce, I have been mediating long enough to recognise that this is highly unlikely to happen anytime soon.
While it would be encouraging to see change driven by society rather than mediators, we as mediators must accept that it is our responsibility to ensure that as many people as possible are aware of the benefits of mediation.
Perhaps the key is to spread straightforward but powerful messages, and in that spirit, I will offer one: “Anyone divorcing with assets to divide or children’s needs to consider should consult a mediator first!”
Mediation can be particularly effective, both in terms of outcome and cost, when significant assets (e.g. houses or pensions) or future needs (e.g. school fees or mortgage payments) are at stake. The traditional legal system sends the message that the only way to resolve these disputes is through an adversarial approach facilitated by solicitors, with the prevailing wisdom being that the more valuable the assets, the more critical it is to fight your corner aggressively.
Frequently, the reality is quite the opposite. In many ways, the higher the asset value and the greater the potential disparity between the respective parties’ positions, the more beneficial mediation can be. I spend far too much time speaking with clients who have spent a significant amount of money on the legal process with very little progress to show for it and wish they had begun mediation Walsall much sooner.
Therefore, please consult a mediator first (not last) and do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the mediation Walsall process!
Please call Family Mediation Service Walsall for more information on how we can help with your dispute