Mediation
Mediation helps people settle disputes by using an impartial third party to act as a ‘go between’ and help facilitate a compromise. It’s a voluntary process, completely confidential and usually quicker and much cheaper than instructing lawyers and letting a court decide the outcome of the case. Mediation is suitable for resolving all sorts of disagreements, even if they are not legal matters.
Our CMC accredited mediators offer low cost mediation which takes place online and can be arranged in a matter of days.
We are proud
to work with…
When is mediation appropriate
we do not undertake family
mediation cases dealing with
divorce or child custody
Mediation can be helpful in settling all kinds of disagreements, whether it is heading towards a legal case, or just a difference of opinion on how to deal with something in a family context. It might be a falling out between neighbours or business partners who cannot agree on a key commercial decision.
Unlike a court hearing, mediation is completely confidential, so if you value privacy and want to prevent a situation from escalating further, mediation is an ideal solution.
Mediation is much less formal than going to court and uses a more efficient process, therefore the cost is lower. For many types of legal cases, Legal Aid is not available, so mediation is a good alternative to resolving matters without a legal bill.
Important
to know
- Mediation is confidential - only the parties will know what was discussed and anything discussed in mediation cannot be used in legal proceedings.
- The mediator is completely impartial and acts as a facilitator. They have no vested interest in the outcome.
- You do not have to reach an agreement - if mediation does not work, you can still explore other options.
- Mediation is voluntary - if both parties do not agree to participate, then mediation will not be possible.
- If you do reach an agreement, this can be formalised in a written document or contract at the end of the meeting.
- The aim of mediation is to avoid direct confrontation between the parties as each party deals only with the mediator until an agreement is reached.
How mediation works
Our mediators are all CMC accredited and bring an impartial and constructive approach to finding a compromise and settling disagreements of any kind.
cost
£180 per party
Timing and location
Mediation takes place online
over the course of one day
(usually 6 hours)
Our low cost mediation takes place online, making it convenient for everyone, no matter where you are.
Once the parties agree to mediate, we will arrange a convenient date for the mediation meeting.
At the meeting, the mediator introduces themselves and each of the parties has the opportunity to set out their position.
Each party then meets separately with the mediator to discuss their thoughts about the issues, the difficulties they are having and why it has not been possible to reach an agreement. Anything said to the mediator in these sessions is confidential. The mediator then meets with the other party and this process repeats until the parties find common ground.
If the parties are then happy to start exchanging information or ideas on resolving the dispute, the mediator will facilitate, with the aim of reaching an agreement.
Next step?
To arrange a mediation meeting, please contact our programme manager for mediation, Niina Ankers:
niina@sequentus.org