If you’re in the process of divorce or separation, you may be wondering what options there are to settle disputes...
Family Mediation Services
We help you explore solutions and find a settlement that works for your family situation
Family Mediation allows both sides to communicate and work together to come to an agreement on important issues, such as property division, spousal support and child custody and visitation. Mediation is confidential and can be less expensive and faster than going to court.
Mediation is successful in over 70% of cases
What Is Family Mediation?
Family mediation is a form of conflict resolution that can be used to resolve disputes within families.
With an increasing focus on Conscious uncoupling, mediation is becoming more popular. It is a process in which a mediator works with both parties to help them reach an agreement on the issues at hand.
The mediator does not make decisions for the parties, but rather helps them to communicate more effectively and come to their own conclusions.
Learn everything you need to know about family mediation with our ultimate guide.
Is Family Mediation Right For You?
Mediation is often preferable to litigation because it is less expensive and time-consuming. It also allows the parties to maintain control over the outcome. However, mediation is not right for every situation. You should consider mediation if:
- You and the other party are willing to communicate openly and honestly with each other.
- You are both committed to resolving the conflict.
- You are willing to compromise.
- You are both willing to work with a neutral third party who can help you reach an agreement.
If you are not sure whether mediation is right for you, we have prepared a list of questions to help clarify whether mediation is right for you. Download the Checklist
If you believe mediation is right for you please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your situation.
Why Choose Mediation?
Maintain Relationships – Reduces friction between parties and achieves a mutual agreement on how to move forward.
Control – You can negotiate a settlement that works for both parties rather than having a decision imposed.
Cost-Effective – It’s significantly more affordable than proceeding with litigation.
Fast – It can be arranged quickly and result in a much speedier resolution than going to court.
Confidential – Everything discussed during mediation remains confidential.
High Success Rate – 70% of family cases and 93% of commercial cases result in settlement.
Even if you cannot reach a settlement, the mediation process can lead to a better mutual understanding between parties. It can narrow the issues for the court process.
How To Start Mediation
Step 1 – Make An Enquiry
The first step is to schedule an initial consultation. This is a confidential discussion at no cost to see if a mediation service is right for you. To make sure you are prepared, take a look at our mediation checklist here
Step 2 – We Arrange A Date With Both Parties
If both parties agree to proceed, we’ll create an Agreement to Mediate. This sets out the rights and responsibilities of the mediator and confirms both parties have the authority to settle. We’ll then arrange a date and location for an in-person or online mediation.
Step 3 – The Mediation Session
You’ll have the opportunity to explore possible solutions and attempt to resolve the conflict through joint and individual discussions with the mediator. The session is held in a neutral location, and everything discussed is confidential. If you reach an agreement, the mediator will provide a written document detailing the settlement terms for you.
How Can Regan Peggs Help?
We’re an experienced team with a commitment to helping our clients resolve disputes in the best way. Our accredited mediators provide you with a confidential, supportive environment to find a resolution.
Meet the Mediators
Regan Peggs
Solicitor England & Wales – Admitted 2004
Solicitor (non-practising) in Scotland
Regan is an experienced solicitor and advocate. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators with over ten years of experience mediating commercial, family and local political disputes. Regan takes a pragmatic approach to mediation. He listens to the concerns of both parties and uses his legal knowledge and experience to negotiate a constructive resolution.
FAQ’s
Family Mediation is a voluntary process and both parties must agree to participate. It is a process that helps couples who are experiencing conflict to resolve their differences with the help of a trained mediator. The mediator facilitates communication between the couple and assists them in reaching an agreement on issues such as child custody, visitation, property division, and support payments.
A family mediator is a professional who helps families in conflict to communicate with each other and reach agreements. The mediator does not take sides or make decisions for the family, but rather facilitates communication and encourages the family to come up with their own solutions.
The role of the mediator is to:
- Help the family communicate with each other
- Encourage the family to come up with their own solutions
- Help the family reach agreements
The mediator does not:
- Take sides
- Make decisions for the family
Mediation is a confidential process where an impartial third party, the mediator, facilitates communication between the parties in conflict. The mediator does not take sides or make decisions for the parties. Rather, the mediator helps the parties to identify their interests and needs, and to brainstorm possible solutions. The mediator also assists the parties in communicating effectively with each other.
Family mediation is typically less expensive than going to court. In addition, mediation can be completed in a shorter timeframe than litigation.
Mediation is a process in which two parties attempt to reach an agreement on a disputed issue without going to court. In mediation, the two parties meet with a neutral third party, called a mediator, who helps them try to reach an agreement.
The mediator does not make decisions for the parties or tell them what to do; instead, the mediator helps the parties communicate with each other and explore possible solutions to their problem.
There are several key ways in which mediation differs from court.
- First, in mediation, the parties are typically represented by their lawyers, while in court, the parties usually represent themselves.
- Second, mediation is confidential, meaning that what is said during mediation cannot be used later in court should mediation be unsuccessful.
- Third, mediators do not make decisions for the parties; instead, they help the parties reach their own agreement.
- Lastly, if the parties are unable to reach an agreement in mediation, they can still go to court.
Family mediation is appropriate for disputes between family members over issues such as child custody, visitation, support, and property division.
Mediation can also be helpful in resolving disagreements between parents and children, siblings, or other relatives.
In some cases, mediation may also be appropriate for couples who are not married but who have a close relationship and are dealing with issues such as co-parenting, financial support, or property division.
If you are considering mediation for your family dispute, it is important to consult with an experienced mediator to discuss whether mediation is right for your particular situation.
You can use mediation in a dispute when you feel that the other person involved is also willing to work towards a resolution. Mediation involves both parties communicating with each other openly and honestly to try and come to an agreement that suits both of them. It can be used in disputes involving family, friends, neighbours, colleagues or business partners.
Mediation can be an effective way to resolve a dispute without going to court, and can often lead to a better outcome for both parties involved. If you are considering mediation, it is important to seek professional help from a mediator who is impartial and trained in conflict resolution.
The first step in mediation is to have both parties sit down with a mediator and discuss the problem. The mediator will then help the parties come to an agreement on how to resolve the issue. Once an agreement is reached, the mediator will write up the terms of the agreement and both parties will sign it. This agreement is then legally binding.
There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a mediator for a family conflict. First, it is important to find a mediator who is impartial and objective. This means that the mediator should not be related to any of the parties involved in the dispute.
Additionally, the mediator should have experience dealing with family conflicts. It is also important to select a mediator who is willing to work with all parties involved in the dispute. Finally, it is important to find a mediator who has the time and resources necessary to devote to the mediation process.
If the other party is not willing to mediate at all, then the mediation would not be arranged in the first place.
If it gets to mediation day and one side then refused to co-operate, the mediator would then try to suggest alternate ways to settle the dispute. But it would most likely mean that the parties would need to go to Court to resolve their issues.
The cost of mediation will vary depending on a number of factors such as:
- The number of sessions needed
- How complex the issues are
- The location of the mediation
- The length of each session
- How many people are participating in the mediation
- The experience of the mediator
At Regan Peggs we provide transparent pricing, so you can see precisely how much mediation services will cost. Check out our prices here.
The cost of mediation is typically shared between the parties involved.
The next step is to put the agreement in writing and have both parties sign it. The document is not a legally binding contract, but it does outline the terms of the agreement and can be used as evidence in court if either party does not hold up their end of the bargain.
Case Studies
How Regan Peggs helped a university student through mediation
The following case study will show the process of how Regan Peggs helped a university student who was facing disciplinary at the university they were attending.
How can mediation help resolve conflict?
Mediation is a voluntary process that can be used in any case where people are facing conflict. It is a confidential process where an impartial mediator facilitates communication between the parties to help them resolve their conflict.
The mediator does not take sides or make decisions for the parties. Instead, the mediator helps the parties to communicate with each other so that they can reach their own agreement on how to resolve their conflict.
What was the situation when Regan Peggs was approached?
The student who was attending a University was facing a disciplinary process brought by the university. The student was diagnosed with autism and was struggling to act appropriately and was causing difficulties not only for themself but also for other students and lecturers.
The University felt compelled to take disciplinary action, as the situation had been going on for some time and they had tried other methods to help the student but nothing had worked.
When faced with disciplinary, the student reached out to Regan Peggs to attempt mediation with the university. The University who was acting more in sadness rather than anger towards the student was willing to attempt mediation.
How did Regan Peggs help to resolve the conflict?
Regan Peggs spent time speaking with both the student and representatives from the university. It was quickly apparent that both parties were willing to make it work. Regan Peggs helped the student better understand the point of view of the university and how their previous behaviour had been disruptive. Regan helped the student to see that they needed to make some changes in order for the situation to improve and also showed them that the university did care about them and wanted them to succeed.
On the other hand, Regan also helped the university understand the student’s difficulties and how to better support them in the future.
What was the outcome?
After a number of sessions, both parties were able to come to an agreement about how to move forward. The student was allowed to stay at the university and they were better supported in learning how to behave appropriately. In return, the student was able to explain his perceptions to the university, which in turn could then speak to other students, and foster better relationships all around.
How can this case study help others in conflict?
This case study highlights the importance of communication, and how mediation can be used as a way to improve communication so that both parties can understand each other’s point of view. It also shows how mediation can help resolve conflict by providing a confidential space for both parties to talk openly about their issues.
If you are facing a conflict either privately or in a professional setting that you think would benefit from mediation please get in touch
How Regan Peggs helped a couple to achieve conscious uncoupling through mediation
The following case study will show the process of how Regan Peggs helped a couple achieve conscious uncoupling through the mediation process.
What is Conscious Uncoupling?
Conscious uncoupling is a term that was popularised by psychologist and relationship counsellor Katherine Woodward Thomas. It refers to the process of ending a relationship in a way that is respectful, amicable, and above all, conscious.
The goal of conscious uncoupling is to help couples break up in a way that minimizes the emotional damage and trauma that can often accompany a split. This is done by consciously and deliberately choosing to end the relationship in a way that is respectful, considerate, and above all, kind.
There are a number of ways to go about conscious uncoupling, but one effective way is mediation. Mediation is a process whereby a neutral third party helps two people to communicate and negotiate in a constructive way. Mediation can be an immensely helpful tool in the process of breaking up, as it can allow couples to air their grievances and come to a mutual agreement about how to move forward.
What was the situation when the couple came to Regan Peggs?
When the couple came to Regan Peggs they had been together for a number of years and they have a child together. They had reached a point where they could no longer continue in the relationship and had decided to break up. This of course meant that they had to reach an agreement about separating their finances. One of their main concerns was the impact that their breakup would have on their child. Therefore, they wanted to ensure that they remained on good terms so that their child would not be adversely affected by the split.
The couple instructed Regan to discuss with them what each of their financial needs for the future were, and what contributions they had both made to their current financial position. Key to the discussion was the need to ensure that both of them were left in a financial position to be able to spend quality time with their child.
How did Regan Peggs help?
Over several hours, Regan spent time with the couple to find their areas of agreement and disagreement. Regan spent time understanding each of their situations, their needs and what they saw as a fair outcome. Using this knowledge and understanding Regan was able to come up with suggestions and proposals which helped the couple to agree on a way forward.
What was the outcome?
Regan was able to help the couple come to an amicable agreement about how to split their finances. Ultimately, a separation agreement was made which was sufficiently flexible to allow for changes in income, relationship status and other potential changes.
Regan drafted the agreement, which they both signed. Before signing the agreement they both had the option to take independent legal advice.
Going through the mediation process meant that the family were able to move forward with their lives without having to go through the court process. Not only did this save them a considerable amount of money, but it also meant that their child was not exposed to the stress and trauma of seeing their parents go through a lengthy and acrimonious court battle.
Relationship preserved, money saved and conscious uncoupling achieved.
Is mediation right for you?
If you are considering ending your relationship, conscious uncoupling is worth keeping in mind for all parties’ sake. Mediation is an effective tool that can help you to reach an agreement with your ex-partner about how to move forward. Regan Peggs is an experienced mediator who can help you to navigate the process and come to a mutually beneficial agreement. If you want to learn more about family mediation visit our family mediation section.
If you would like to discuss how mediation could be right for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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Family Mediation Articles
Got a specific question about our family mediation services? Browse our selection of useful articles below, or get in touch if you can’t find what you’re looking for – we’re always happy to discuss your case, and will either help you directly or refer you to someone who can.
Does mandatory mediation lie ahead?
As mediation comes to play an ever-more important role in our legal system, we have been expanding our mediation department. This article looks at why we decided to get ready for the future.