Sebastian Church Bolton
Independent Family Mediators
Menu
Independent Family Mediators
The majority of the time, we would prefer to address these issues without involving the court or attorneys, and this is where Sebastian Church family mediation Bolton can be of assistance.
With Sebastian Church family mediation Bolton, it is possible to settle these disputes in the shortest period feasible and at a considerably cheaper cost than through the court system, which may be tiresome and time-consuming.
This is due to the fact that we examine each person’s specific timetable before developing our own. As a result, we can facilitate meetings between the two parties.
There are instances involving minors. In such situations, we are always prepared to deliver a solution with minimal impact on the procedures.
The Household Mediation Council has professionally accredited (FMCA) each member of our Family mediation team.
Dealing with family disputes or business conflicts is challenging, but mediation may be a helpful tool for resolving tight and often emotionally charged situations.
Family mediation Bolton can be quicker, less expensive, and leave both parties with a more positive outlook on the agreed-upon resolution. A number of additional key benefits of mediation include:
Greater control – Family mediation Bolton cannot guarantee a result because no legally binding decision is reached. Instead, the mediator works with the parties to find a resolution, but there is no assurance that the problem will be resolved. This can mean that both parties have greater control over the solution and are not compelled to accept an unsatisfactory outcome.
Confidentiality – Litigation, through which disagreements are addressed in court, is a potentially very public process. Unless both parties expressly agree otherwise, the details of out-of-court conflicts resolved through mediation are strictly secret.
Reduced costs – In general, resolving conflicts through judicial proceedings is very costly, and the total costs might be highly unpredictable. However, resolving disagreements through family mediation Bolton is frequently considerably quicker and less expensive than going to court.
Enhanced support – Family mediation Bolton involves the use of a professional, neutral mediator to interact with the disputing parties and assist them in locating a solution that is acceptable to both parties. The Mediator listens to all parties’ perspectives, speaks with them privately and sometimes jointly, and guides them through the process.
Relationship preservation – Resolving family or workplace disputes is already a challenging situation, but litigation and the stress of the courts may make it even more so, putting further strain on the relationship between the parties. Mediation, on the other hand, assists both parties in focusing on efficient communication and reaching a mutually beneficial settlement through negotiation.
The mediation day will often adhere to a pattern, commonly referred to as the “5 Stages of Mediation.” The purpose of these five steps of mediation is to reach a viable and acceptable resolution to the disagreement. The levels are:
The first step is to convene the mediation. Obtaining the parties’ agreement to arbitrate their dispute. The parties will be informed of the advantages of mediation, including that it is cheaper, faster, less stressful, and a neutral and confidential procedure. This phase will also address administrative concerns.
Introduction to the Mediation Day and First Session. Each mediation begins with a “original statement,” and although styles vary, the contents is always about creating the correct mood – one of positivity and mutual respect – and setting objectives for how the day will proceed as well as general “housekeeping.” The disputing parties may choose to hear this opening statement jointly, or they may prefer to hear it quietly and separately.
Third Phase: Private Sessions and Initial Conversations The mediator will meet separately with each party to hear their side of the story. The mediator will listen to the parties discuss what has occurred, how the events have affected them, and the desired conclusion. This phase allows each party to feel “heard” and the mediator to begin assisting them in gaining a perspective on the challenges they are facing in a way that fosters a productive mood and setting.
Generation of options and alternatives is the fourth phase. This is the primary phase of “negotiating.” The mediator will assist the parties in letting go of unproductive positions and emotions, and will frequently play devil’s advocate with them to “reality check” their assumptions and assist them in gaining a more accurate understanding of what is likely to occur in court and their own self-interests and chances of success. As the parties begin to assess the situation from a broader perspective, they are typically able to get closer to a compromise that serves their mutual self-interests.
Fifth and final phase: clarification and agreement In the majority of mediations, the final compromises and fine-tuning bring a conclusion to the conflict. In the majority of instances, the negotiation phase will result in a settlement that both parties feel is preferable than litigating the dispute in court. If such an agreement is reached, the legal representatives would often draught and sign a memorandum to make the arrangement legally binding.
What If There Is No Settlement?
There are typically no legal consequences for failure to achieve a settlement, and the parties are free to proceed to court if they so choose.
In fact, the majority of mediations that do not reach an agreement on the day do so shortly thereafter. Even for those cases that proceed to court, the mediation will have supplied useful knowledge.
In the majority of situations, mediation (a MIAM, or Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is required prior to court proceedings.
In certain circumstances, family mediation can be a highly effective alternative to court, resulting in the resolution of all family-related issues without the need for additional legal intervention.
In circumstances when a resolution cannot be reached through mediation, however, additional measures should be taken to guarantee that proper arrangements are established with the assistance of a judge or magistrate.
In the majority of cases, attendance at an initial MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is mandated by law to guarantee that all parties have explored mediatory services prior to resorting to litigation.
Although parties are urged to attend mediation meetings together, it is possible for them to meet alone so long as an authorised family mediator is present. There are, however, exceptions to this rule that permit a party to file a court application under certain conditions.
Additionally, it is possible to schedule a mediation meeting through video call or an online meeting platform. This is contingent upon all parties agreeing and having access to a device that enables participation, such as a laptop or tablet.
MIAM Exemptions
If your circumstances fit into one of the categories below, you may be exempt from the MIAM requirement. Included are:
Please see the procedural guidelines on the justice.gov.uk website for additional guidance and specifics regarding each MIAM exception.
If you are considering requesting an exemption from a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, please note that you will be expected to submit adequate evidence to decide if the exemption was properly claimed.
If the court judges that the given evidence is insufficient or that the MIAM exemption was not properly claimed, you and any other parties may be required to attend an MIAM prior to the commencement of proceedings.