ABOUT ME

Georgie has been working as a family mediator since 2018. She is Family Mediation Council Accredited and trained as a child inclusive mediator. She also works as an in-court mediator. Georgie was previously a Solicitor and is currently training as a separation and divorce coach.

QUALIFICATIONS & ACCREDITATIONS

Sussex University, Brighton - LLB Hons Law
The College of Law, London - LPC
Professional Skills Course
ADR Group Accredited Family Mediator
FMC Accredited Child Inclusive Mediator
In court Mediator
Nominated 2024 NMA Child Inclusive Mediator of the Year Award

WHY MEDIATE

Family mediation helps couples to reach agreements about their children and their finances. It is a way of resolving disputes out of court, with the help of a mediator. You and your partner meet together with the mediator for mediation sessions which generally last for an hour and a half. How many sessions you need depends upon you and the nature of your dispute. The negotiations which take place in family mediation are privileged and confidential. This means that they cannot be used against you in court proceedings. You are not bound by any agreement reached in mediation until you have taken legal advice on it and the agreement has been drawn up as a court order.

THE MEDIATION PROCESS

STAGE 1 - MIAM

The law now requires everyone who wishes to take a child, family property or finance matter to court to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to decide whether the matter may be suitable for mediation.
A mediator will take you individually through the MIAM and, where agreed, will then contact the other party to invite them to attend a joint mediation session. If the MIAM is unsuccessful in bringing about mediation, the mediator can help send the matter to court by providing a mediator signed page for you to place in your C100 or Form A.

MIAM stands for Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting.
It is a first meeting with a specially qualified family mediator to consider whether your issues can be resolved without going to court. The mediator will provide you with information about the options available for non-court resolution, including mediation, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages with you. The meeting is confidential. You must attend a MIAM before issuing an application to the family court unless one of the exemptions applies to your case. These include:

• Domestic Violence (you will need to meet certain criteria);
• Child protection concerns;
• Urgency; and
• Previous attendance at a MIAM or MIAM exemption

At the meeting your mediator will:

• Provide you with information about mediation and other forms of dispute resolution.
• Assess the suitability of mediation to resolve the dispute.
• Assess whether there has been or there is a risk of domestic violence or harm to a child.
• Signpost you to any relevant support, for example online information sources about issues arising on separation.

If you and your partner agree to try mediation you can make an appointment for your first mediation session.
If you decide not to proceed with mediation or it is not suitable, then the mediator will need to sign the relevant court form to show you have thought about going to mediation. This will enable you to issue your application at court.

STAGE 2 - MEDIATION SESSION

The mediation session will help you to develop the issues and concerns you want to discuss in mediation;
the mediator will facilitate in depth discussions, explore your issues, and help you identify possible solutions;
in cases relating to your children; the mediator will

• consider their wishes and feelings and discuss with you if you would like them to speak to the mediator.
• Help you negotiate joint proposals on future childcare arrangements.
• in cases relating to financial matters the mediator will;
• facilitate the exchange of financial information and documents.
• discuss your options and the feasibility of these
• help you to negotiate the terms of a financial settlement.

Mediation sessions are 90 minutes each. The number of mediation sessions you require depends on the nature, complexity, and number of issues you want to talk about. Typically, cases relating to children are dealt with in two to three sessions and those relating to financial matters in three to four sessions.

STAGE 3 - CONCLUSION OF MEDIATION

If you come to agreement in mediation a Memorandum of Understanding can be drafted outlining the decisions you’ve reached, and an Open Financial Statement will be drafted detailing the financial disclosure you have provided. This isn’t a legally binding document unless you take it to a solicitor to be drafted as a consent order.

CHILD INCLUSIVE MEDIATION

Family mediation helps couples to reach agreements about their children and their finances. It is a way of resolving disputes out of court, with the help of a mediator. You and your partner meet together with the mediator for mediation sessions which generally last for an hour and a half. How many sessions you need depends upon you and the nature of your dispute. The negotiations which take place in family mediation are privileged and confidential. This means that they cannot be used against you in court proceedings. You are not bound by any agreement reached in mediation until you have taken legal advice on it and the agreement has been drawn up as a court order.

FEES

Valid from June 2024

All prices inclusive of VAT at 20%

Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting: £120 per person
Joint mediation sessions: £150 per person per session
Preparation of documents - MOU: £150 per person
OFS: £120 per person
MIAM Certificate: £30
Child inclusive Mediation session: £50 per parent
Statement of arrangements: £100 per person

In order to secure your provisional appointment, all fees to be paid in advance by online transfer. If you need to cancel your appointment, at least two working days notice is required or a £30 charge will apply.

FAMILY MEDIATION VOUCHER SCHEME

The Ministry of Justice & Family Mediation Council are offering £500 of financial support towards the cost of mediation sessions for separating families that involve children. This funding is not means tested but you need to have attended a MIAM and agreed to mediate before the voucher can be applied for. For more information click here.

CONTACT ME

CONTACT

Please email me or fill out the form and I will respond to you as soon as possible.

E-MAIL

georgieshmuelmediation@gmail.com