MEDIATING SINCE 2009

Solving your Problems & Resolving your Disputes

Mediation provided by accredited mediators who are non-practising solicitors. Expertise in family, elder, pet and civil cases.

Our Services

Some Of The Things We Can Help With

Family Mediation

When intimate partner relationships break down, mediation is a safe and structured way to sort out financial and parenting arrangements.

$

MIAM

Private and confidential one-hour meeting with an authorised family mediator to assess whether a problem or dispute can be addressed without involving the courts.

$

Pet Mediation

Mediation provides a way of sorting out arrangements for a loved pet when the owners’ relationship ends.

$

Elder & Adult

Mediation helps families communicate and make decisions as members age. It provides a safe and structured way for engaging in difficult conversations.

$
$
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$

About Us

Mediation is a more effective way for most people to solve their problems or resolve their disputes than going through the legal system.

With our decades of expertise as solicitors and  mediators, we help clients achieve better, faster, more affordable, and longer lasting results.

Mediation works for individuals, groups, and organisations.

 

MIAM

 

MIAM stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It is an individual and confidential meeting with a specially qualified family mediator to see if a problem or dispute could be addressed without involving the courts.

Most applicants to the family court will need to have a MIAM before they can make an application. This might be to obtain a financial remedy order following a divorce or dissolution, or to apply for a child arrangements order. A private and confidential consultation, similar to a MIAM, is also needed before mediation can start, even where court is not a consideration.

During your MIAM or private consultation you will have the opportunity to describe your situation and the problem you face. The mediator will explain how mediation works, what the alternatives to mediation might be and how they work. Together with you, the mediator will assess if mediation might be suitable. If relevant, the mediator will tell you about child inclusive mediation and provide information about other services where you can get  help and support.

If  mediation isn’t suitable, or you don’t want to try it, the mediator will provide a MIAM certificate which will enable you to make a court application.

A MIAM lasts up to an hour and can take place in-person or over online video.

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Our Engagement Process

Our Engagement Process Is Outlined Below. Each Mediation Service Has Its Own Process, But Generally It Follows These Steps:

1

Contact Us

Contact us to start the process by calling or emailing directly, or by being referred by a lawyer.

2

2

Initial Private Consultation

We discuss your needs and goals and determine if mediation is the right option for you.

3

Mediation

We facilitate a joint conversation over one or more meetings with you and the other participant(s) , to help you reach a mutual proposal.

4

4

Outcome

We help review and test any proposal to ensure that all participants are satisfied before confirming the agreement.

Testimonials

I’m writing to thank you both for your calmness and support during the past 14 months. Mediation was the right thing to do but not easy too. I see the house as a new start and I am embracing my new life.

Thank you again and wishing you both a lovely summer.

MRS CF, BURY ST EDMUNDS

DIVORCE AND FINANCIAL MEDIATION (IN-PERSON)

(Stephen and Elisabet) provided an effective and supportive environment in which potential sources of conflict were methodically and patiently worked through … the mediators were not only patient listeners but skilled in guiding potentially stalled discussion into areas where constructive progress could be made. 

MB, SUFFOLK

ADULT AND ELDER MEDIATION (IN-PERSON)

My initial telephone contact with Start Mediation convinced me to work with them – clear, concise and professional.
The initial MIAM consultation was set up quickly and proved very useful. Elisabet was focused, empathic, professional, and as helpful as possible given my situation.
She undertook the required follow-up actions efficiently, reporting back to me on progress.
Ultimately, the process was unable to continue because my ex-partner declined the opportunity to participate. Based on my experience, I would have no hesitation in recommending Elisabet.

MR ML, SUFFOLK

PARENTING MEDIATION (IN-PERSON)

Stephen guided me through the sometimes tortuous and often frustrating processes surrounding divorce and consent agreement, with calm, wisdom and insight. He takes a pragmatic approach, focussed on securing the best possible mutual agreement and consensus. I recommend him highly, not least for his honesty, good humour and expertise, backed by experience.

MR A, IPSWICH

DIVORCE AND FINANCIAL MEDIATION (IN-PERSON)

It is today a year since we divorced, a decree absolutely issued the same day as our wedding anniversary!

Just a quick note to say that we are still working together and are both doing very well. (My ex) still relies on me heavily to run the business during his absence and has now given me more interesting responsibilities.

So after weeks of difficult mediation, we have now turned the page and (our child) is delighted to see her parents, individually, both happy and at peace.

MRS VR, ESSEX

PARENTING MEDIATION (IN-PERSON)

I’d like to say thank you again for the very professional and sympathetic way that you and Tom (Farrell) steered us through our complex and at times tortuous negotiations. At the end of the day, I’m confident that we secured a compromise that satisfied both of us and hopefully we won’t need to come back!

I have however recommended you to a couple of people recently. My solicitor considered the “Summary of Mediation” you submitted to be the best she had ever received and shared it with her colleagues on the Family Team at her firm as an example of good practice.

PROFESSOR G, NORTH SOMERSET

DIVORCE AND FINANCIAL MEDIATION (ONLINE)

Whilst going through a difficult divorce; juggling the emotional fallout of the relationship breakdown, the challenges of relocating and ever increasing legal bills, it was suggested that my now ex-husband and I sought mediation.

Start Mediation were able to accommodate us by allowing us to have our sessions online. This was instrumental in us being able to move the divorce procedure (Consent Order) forward.

Stephen is very easy to talk with and has a wealth of experience and valuable insight into the divorce process. I can hand heard say that we would not have reached resolution without Stephen’s help and I heartily recommend him as a professional: fair, accessible, productive and indisputably patient mediator.

MRS MS, CHANNEL ISLANDS

DIVORCE AND FINANCIAL MEDIATION (ONLINE)

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Family Mediation Voucher

Get a government funded family mediation voucher worth
£500
towards the cost of your mediation.

To find out more:

Contact Us

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