About Us

Let our experienced mediators help resolve your problems and conflicts.

We are focused on finding the best outcome

 

Start Mediation is a specialist mediation practice, solely focused on providing mediation services. Our mediators have backgrounds in law and have been extensively trained in family, elder, civil and commercial, workplace, community and school-based peer mediation.

We offer decades of experience as solicitors and mediators, and our cost-efficient approach helps clients achieve better, faster and more affordable outcomes than traditional court proceedings. We provide impartial and confidential services tailored to each client, as well as unparalleled online mediation for added flexibility.

Meet your Expert Mediators

Elisabet Anderson LL.B

Non-Practising Solicitor &  Accredited Mediator
Divorce & Dissolution Children & Parenting
Elder & Adults MIAMPet Custody

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My career started as a family solicitor. After having my children and teaching in primary school for 8 years, I trained as a mediator. This suited me better than working in the often adversarial way associated with the legal process.

I help couples reach parenting and financial arrangements, speak to children in child inclusive mediation, help grandparents establish relationships with their grandchildren, and provide Mediation Information & Assessment Meetings (MIAMs).

 

I am also a Pet, and Elder and Adult mediator, and a member of the Family Mediation Council,  Family Mediators Association , and Law Society.

Stephen G Anderson LL.B

Non-Practising Solicitor,  Accredited Mediator
Divorce & Dissolution Workplace Conflict
Financial Business & Civil  Community

 

I qualified as a solicitor in 1994. After seeing the damage that solicitors and the court system caused to those going through a relationship breakdown, I decided in 2009 to train as a family mediator. Since 2013 I have worked only as a mediator.

I have trained in many mediation practice areas:  family, civil & commercial, workplace, elder, and community. This allows me to work in many different ways.

I’m authorised to conduct Mediation Information & Assessment  Meetings (MIAMs) and I’m a professional supervisor of other mediators.

I have attended and spoken on the UK, European and North American mediation conference circuit. I’m widely known for my work in establishing online mediation as an appropriate way to work and helped write the online mediation standards for the Family Mediation Council.

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.

My ex-husband and I were living in different parts of the country, however, 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 Stephen as a professional: fair, accessible, productive and indisputably patient mediator.

MRS MS, CHANNEL ISLANDS

DIVORCE AND FINANCIAL MEDIATION (ONLINE)

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