Integrated Family Mediation
I am trained as an integrated family mediator and offer a flexible approach to help you resolve your disputes most effectively. Together we’ll design a unique process that works for you both, and for any children of your family. Integrated mediation skills and strategies enable me to tailor the process to your family's needs. Everyone's issues and conflicts are unique, so my focus is always on you, the problem you bring and how I may best help you move forward.
Integrated family mediation can offer more certainty and security in taking decisions as professional advisors can be on hand to provide 'in the moment' guidance and support. It is often more expedient to consult with professionals advisors on issues arising during the session rather than to postpone sessions to provide you both with the opportunity to seek advice. Professional advisors can help you explore and reality test the impact of options/ proposals under discussion, helping you feel more confident and assertive in decision making.
Integrating other professionals into the mediation process can be beneficial for many reasons, although the core work will still be with you and your ex-partner and you will remain responsible for decision making.
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Lawyer-Assisted Mediation
Your lawyers may be invited to join one or more sessions of mediation to give their support, guidance and advice. Lawyers are then on hand to prepare a draft Consent Order to record your terms of settlement. I can discuss with you and your lawyers working in the same room or in separate spaces, whether the task is best managed in-person or on-line, and what rule of confidentiality will apply in relation to any separate work undertaken with each of you during mediation.
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Integrating Other Professionals: Pensions Experts
Inviting a Pensions Expert to join mediation sessions (usually free of charge) enables you both to explore the complexities which often arise when reviewing pension options on separation. For many clients it's helpful to review the differences between defined benefit & defined contribution schemes and to understand the pensions offsetting & sharing calculations provided in a Pensions Report.
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Integrating Other Professionals: IFAs and Accountants
If you have a family business, professional advisors can often be an invaluable source of information and support in guiding you through your available options. It may be useful for you both to hear from Accountants to explore business valuations or tax implications of proposals under consideration. IFAs can also often assist in budgeting for your future income needs and with retirement planning.
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Integrating Other Professionals: Early Neutral Evaluation
Early neutral evaluation involves seeking an independent view from a specialist barrister on more complex or technical legal issues. The evaluation is not binding but helps to overcome any impasse in negotiations by assessing the likely outcome in the event of a Court application.
Get in Touch
Our focus is to tailor the mediation process to fit your family’s needs. If you have any questions relating to our integrated mediation practice please get in touch.