Family Mediation in Reading
When a relationship ends, the last thing most people want is a drawn-out fight. Family mediation gives you a calmer, more constructive way to sort out finances and arrangements for your children, with the two of you making the decisions, supported by an expert. Our family team in Reading can guide you through it and make any agreement legally secure.
Call us on 0118 951 6200 or get in touch via our online enquiry form. Your first conversation is confidential and there is no obligation.
What is family mediation?
Family mediation is a voluntary process where a trained, neutral mediator helps separating couples reach their own agreement on finances and children. The mediator does not take sides or impose a decision; they help you discuss the issues constructively and find workable solutions, usually over a small number of sessions.
Mediation is confidential and far less adversarial than court. It keeps you in control of the outcome, rather than handing the decision to a judge, and it tends to preserve a workable relationship between you, which matters enormously where you will continue to co-parent. You can read more in our Family Mediation Services guide.
What can family mediation cover?
Mediation can be used to resolve most of the practical issues that arise on separation. It is commonly used to agree arrangements for the children, where they live and how time is shared between you, and to divide finances, including the family home, savings, pensions and other assets. It can also settle ongoing support, such as child maintenance and, where relevant, spousal maintenance, as well as the everyday practicalities like dividing belongings and day-to-day logistics. You can mediate on a single issue or on everything together, depending on what you need. Because it is flexible, mediation can be used at any stage, before you start the divorce, alongside it, or to revisit arrangements later if your circumstances change.
The benefits of family mediation
Mediation is usually quicker and significantly cheaper than going to court, and far less stressful. Because you and your former partner shape the outcome yourselves, agreements reached in mediation tend to last, as both of you have a genuine stake in them. It is private, flexible around your schedules, and, importantly where children are involved, it helps you keep communicating in a constructive way long after the legal process ends. Many parents also value that mediation can, where appropriate, give children an age-appropriate voice through child-inclusive mediation, helping arrangements reflect what genuinely works for them.
How family mediation works
The process is straightforward and you stay in control throughout.
- MIAM: You attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, where the mediator explains the options and assesses whether mediation is suitable for you.
- Joint sessions: If both of you agree to proceed, you meet with the mediator (together or, where needed, separately) to work through the issues.
- Reaching agreement: The mediator records what you decide in a summary document, including a financial outline where money is involved.
- Making it binding: We turn your agreement into a legally binding consent order so it is enforceable, mediation itself does not create a binding court order.
Do I have to try mediation before going to court?
In most cases, yes. Before applying to the family court about finances or children, you must usually attend a MIAM to consider mediation, unless an exemption applies, for example where there has been domestic abuse. Since April 2024 the court expects parties to engage seriously with non-court options.
There are limited exemptions to the MIAM requirement, and we will tell you quickly whether one applies to you. You can read the government guidance on family mediation on GOV.UK, including details of any current mediation voucher scheme that may contribute towards costs. The standards for family mediators are set by the Family Mediation Council.
When mediation may not be suitable
Mediation is not right for every situation. It depends on both people being willing to take part and to disclose their finances honestly. It may not be appropriate where there has been domestic abuse, where one partner will not engage, or where matters are urgent, for example, where there is a risk of assets being hidden or a child being removed from the country. In those cases, we will advise you honestly and, where needed, move quickly to protect your position through the court.
Family mediation in Reading and the Thames Valley
We support clients through mediation across Reading, Berkshire and the wider Thames Valley, including Wokingham, Bracknell, Newbury and Maidenhead, from our office at 1 London Street in central Reading. Appointments are available in person, by telephone and by video.
Madeleine Young in our team is a Resolution-trained Collaborative Lawyer and Mediator, so we can guide you through the process and turn whatever you agree into a binding order.
Why choose FSP for family mediation
Our family team is one of the largest in the Reading area, and has been top ranked in independent legal directories such as Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 for many years. That depth means we can match the right lawyer to your matter and your budget.
- Recognised expertise: A top-ranked family team in the legal directories, equally at home with high-value, complex work and everyday family matters. Experience from over 20 years at the most senior level down to newly qualified, so you pay for the right level of expertise.
- Resolution Member: Every family lawyer is a member of Resolution and follows its constructive, non-confrontational code of practice.
- Quality assured: Lexcel accredited for quality and client care, and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
- A full-service firm: Your Wills, Tax and Trusts team, Residential Conveyancing team and Employment Law team are all under one roof for joined-up advice.
Talk to us about mediation
We can explain whether mediation suits your situation and what to expect. Call us on 0118 951 6200, or get in touch via our online enquiry form.
- Family Law Solicitors in Reading
- Family Mediation Service (download)
- Divorce Solicitors in Reading
- Non-Court Dispute Resolution Solicitors in Reading
- Cohabitation Agreement Solicitors in Reading
- Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers in Reading
- Divorce Financial Settlement Solicitors in Reading
- Child Maintenance Solicitors in Reading
- Non-Court Dispute Resolution Solicitors in Reading
- Civil Partnership Dissolution Solicitors in Reading
- International Divorce Solicitors in Reading
- Child Abduction Solicitors in Reading
- Separation Agreement Solicitors in Reading
Is family mediation legally binding?
Mediation itself is not legally binding. The agreement you reach is recorded by the mediator, but to make it enforceable a solicitor turns it into a consent order approved by the court. We routinely do this for clients so their agreement is secure.
How much does family mediation cost?
Mediation is usually far cheaper than contested court proceedings, and costs depend on the number of sessions needed. A government mediation voucher scheme may contribute towards costs in qualifying casesa.
What is a MIAM?
A MIAM is a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It is a short first meeting where a mediator explains how mediation works and assesses whether it is suitable for your situation. In most cases you must attend a MIAM before applying to the family court.
Can mediation work if we do not get on?
Often, yes. You do not have to be on good terms to mediate. The mediator manages the conversation and can keep you in separate rooms, known as shuttle mediation, if that helps. Mediation is voluntary, so it is not suitable in every case, but it works for many couples in conflict.
Is what I say in mediation confidential?
Yes. Mediation is confidential and conducted on a ‘without prejudice’ basis, so discussions cannot generally be used in court. Financial disclosure exchanged in mediation is the exception, that information remains open and can be relied on later.
How long does mediation take?
Most couples resolve matters in a handful of sessions over a few weeks or months, far quicker than contested court proceedings, which can take a year or more. The exact timescale depends on how many issues you need to resolve and how readily you reach agreement.
"The family team is an extremely cohesive group of stellar lawyers, led by the first-class Bethan Thomas."
"Stand out team, who provide flawless legal advice, great team work and an empathetic approach."
"Field Seymour Parkes is professional, knowledgeable and caring. The team provides great support, timely responses and is always available."
"Field Seymour Parkes is an extremely cohesive and well-led team that provides excellent service to its clients."
"Field Seymour Parkes are experts in their field."
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"Field Seymour Parkes gave prompt attention to all matters and advised me of all progress."
"A strong family law team with excellent client care and expertise in complex international cases, including in the High Court and Court of Appeal."
“Their replies are quick and prompt, communication is very good and everybody is professional yet compassionate to my case.”
"The team at FSP are always proactive in helping their clients. They look at the big picture."
"The team stands out for its people, knowledge, application of knowledge and retaining humanity through the process."
"The case they presented was prepared and executed perfectly."
"The team was extremely fast to respond and ensured any response was fully thought through and to the point."
"The team was supportive, helpful and professional."
"There was plenty of time for discussion and a fair degree of flexibility to have calls and discussions at a time that suited me. There was lots of clear explanation of the process."
"I felt FSP were a cohesive and well-integrated series of specialist teams who worked well together for my case."
"This strong team was further strengthened by the arrival of Bethan Thomas. They now have really able people at all levels. As a consequence they have the ability to provide a first class service for all types of family work."
"Thorough and experienced matrimonial finance lawyers who are a match for any London firm. FSP are tenacious when they need to be, but also keen to reach a resolution provided it is in the best interests of the client."
"FSP has a formidable team of solicitors dealing with family law. They provide a highly professional, sympathetic and practical approach to all of their cases."
"They are a very reputable team in the Reading area. They are extremely experienced and deliver excellent client care to their clients. They are also lovely people to work with."
"FSP are frequently instructed in complex high-value cases. They quickly grasp key issues and develop strategies accordingly and early on in the management of the case."
"FSP’s Family team is first-class and the advice is correct for every given situation."
"The Family team is technically very strong and able to deliver services in a human way."
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