Why mediation?
- Mediation helps people to make practical arrangements for themselves and their children, and to separate at the lowest emotional and financial cost.
- Research shows that children are generally much happier and healthier if their parents use mediation rather than arguing over them.
- Mediation is a voluntary process. Each party to the dispute attends mediation voluntarily and may opt out at any stage of the process, without fear of penalty.
- Mediators do not take sides, decide who is right or wrong, or give legal advice.
- Mediation helps people to make life better for everyone involved without resorting to legal action.
- Mediation empowers people in conflict to learn how to avoid, handle, and resolve conflicts; it helps people learn and practise good communication skills.
- Mediation allows people to explore and participate in the development of creative solutions.
- Mediation offers mutual ownership of agreements, which are then more likely to succeed. Reach your own agreement without letting a judge decide for you.
- The mediation process is confidential, except where domestic violence or child protection issues are involved.