Mediation

Sorry to start a new thread on this but I''ve read through some of the others and can''t find answers.

I was a little surprised to read . . mediation produces agreement in 50 to 80 percent of cases. I am not sure how you get a mean average spanning 50-80 but bye the by it''s not very encouraging!

1. What does it do? Is it just about dividing the money or does it go into - do you really want to divorce?

2. What does it cost? I saw on this forum an advertisement to sort out the financial split for a one off fee of £199, is mediation cheaper?

3. How do I get it?

I''m not quite sure where the figure of £199 comes from but I''m assuming it was for a Consent Order finalising the finances if you are in agreement with your spouse. Also I think the figures of mediation producing an agreement in 50 to 80 percent of of cases may be out of date. There is evidence that fewer couples are using mediation now.

When there is no agreement and a court application is made for a financial remedy the legal fees can run into tens of thousands or more. Fighting through the courts can damage long term family relationships impacting on any children. Mediation is an alternative to going through court and a mediator can assist resolve disputes more cheaply and without damaging long term relationships. Apparently divorcing couples are more satisfied with arrangements they agreed and more likely to adhere to the terms of an agreement than an imposed order of the court.

Mediators work resolving a wide variety of disputes. In family cases mediators are used mainly to assist with separating the finances and arrangements for children. With the finances it''s a case of crunching the numbers together with the mediator to find a solution for separating the finances that works for both parties. If agreement can be reached a solicitor can then use it as the basis to draft a consent order. The consent order is then submitted to court for a judge to ratify.

When no agreement is reached at mediation you should have a better understanding of your spouse''s thinking - what can be agreed, what might be agreed and the outstanding issues. Because you both meet with one mediator it saves time and the costs of letters flying between two solicitors and individual appointments to discuss the issues. Depending on the financial position of the spouses and whether mediation is for finances alone or includes arrangements for children mediators fees range from about £75 -£150 a session or a bit less for an initial Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting.

The figure of £199 is for the Wikivorce financial settlement consultation. As explained to the OP on an earlier post, the service does not sort out the finances, it is a consultation with a solicitor - which includes legal advice and a written report outlining the client''s legal position and what a fair settlement would be ­base­d on your individual circumstances, plus options for moving forwards.