Testimonials
What people tell us after mediation.
What clients tell us
For most participants in mediation, a good outcome is one they can live with. Some of the people we have helped are happy to tell us how it went.
Most people prefer not to be named, because mediation is personal and few people want to make a relationship breakdown, or how they deal with it, a public matter. Names are withheld or shortened to protect privacy.
Testimonials from clients
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.
(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.
Thank you for your guidance in mediation… Without your overview we would not have been civil to each other and our dignities no doubt shattered!
Your service was excellent and professional. I felt very comfortable and safe.
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.
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.
Thank you for all your help in getting us there. It’s been a long journey but it’s been made much easier through your kindness and help.
Thank you for your patience and professionalism in getting [us] to this point.
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.
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.
Sincere thanks for everything you have done to help us reach our settlement.
I would like to say a big thank you. Really appreciate everything you do and all your help.
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.
I wanted to give you a very brief update, which only serves to reinforce your very wise advice with regards to resolving matters during mediation if possible.
The costs (as you advised) have been horrendous, £36,000* for my account alone (despite my many offers to settle).
Thank you for your assistance at the outset. I’m only sorry that a sensible resolution could not have been reached during that time.
*These were solicitors’ costs for court proceedings. They were not mediation costs.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all the hard work, time and effort you had given during our mediation sessions. I am truly grateful even though it’s not the outcome I wanted.
Many thanks for your help and being so understanding of all the rearrangements!