Family Mediation Lawyers Glasgow, Scotland

Mediation is not the same as court litigation. It is an alternative method of dispute resolution which looks to avoid the cost, length and discomfort often involved in addressing family disputes in the courts.

A trained family mediator who is a solicitor and is also a neutral third party who will work with you and your family to help you resolve a dispute. For example, they can help separating or divorcing couples to reach agreements about financial arrangements and arrangements with children.

Mediation is centred on enabling couples to communicate with one another. It is a process centred on the family, where parties are free to discuss their arrangements with a mediator, who encourages cooperation between the couple. It creates an environment which allows couples to find their own solutions to their particular issues.

Couples can consider and discuss all options available to them. It provides an opportunity for them to exchange financial information and review arrangements for children in a neutral environment. They also have the benefit of having an impartial solicitor, the mediator, who has experience of resolving family disputes and knowledge of the relevant laws and processes present in their discussions.

Normally mediation will involve a series of appointments where you will meet with a mediator to discuss a dispute. The number of appointments necessary will reflect your needs as a family and the complexity of the issue you face. The process will not be rushed and all matters will be discussed fully and openly. This can be very helpful, especially when attempting to resolve disputes regarding children.

As was already mentioned, Family Mediation is handled very differently to how the courts would handle a family dispute:

• It is generally cheaper and faster than court proceedings: the costs of resolving a dispute in the courts can be significant (e.g. court time, witnesses etc) which can be avoided in mediation;
• Couples can decide on the outcome rather than it being left in the hands of the court: it can seem quite strange to let a dispute be decided by a court or a judge. Mediation leaves decision making power with the family members concerned;
• It is generally less traumatic and stressful than court proceedings: courtrooms by their very nature are not designed to be a comfortable environment. Mediation avoids the need to attempt to resolve a family dispute in a stark, public environment;
• It is handled by experts: family mediations facilitated by solicitors who are Accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as Family Law Mediators and who are experienced family lawyers;
• It promotes better communication between couples which will result in a better outcome for any children: the whole idea of mediation is that through the assistance of a professional advisor, the families make the decisions. This enables quarrelling family members to arrive at a decision that is to their mutual satisfaction.

Mediation is designed to encourage open and frank discussion between family members. As a result, mediators are bound by law to keep discussions that take place during mediation strictly confidential. There will be no involvement of or discussion with outside parties unless special circumstances warrant it.

There is also no need for concern about matters discussed during mediation to later become the subject of court litigation. It is generally not possible to use anything discussed in mediation in a courtroom unless both disputing parties agree to it. However, a court may need information on what was discussed at mediation if they have concerns regarding a child and their welfare, or if there are criminal activities that the court needs to have knowledge of.

The courts do not like to get involved in family disputes. However, they will become involved if they are asked to by quarrelling family members. Even if you are in the early stages of taking a dispute through the courts, you can ask the court if they would consider allowing the matter to be settled. It is also not uncommon for the court to suggest to family members to consider pursuing family mediation as an alternative to court litigation.

The important point to bear in mind is that Family Mediation, unlike court litigation, is designed to cater for the family’s needs. Disputes can be handled in a balanced and fair manner by expert lawyers without the need to resort to costly, and often lengthy, courtroom arguments. Furthermore, Family Mediation may also remove the risk of any long term damage to relationships given that, unlike in a courtroom, it is the families themselves that make the decisions.

As well as specialising in matters concerning Mediation we offer a full range of Family Law services.