What does a family mediator do and what can you expect from mediation?

What is family mediation?

Family mediation is a structured, confidential process designed to help separating couples and families resolve disputes without going to court. A family mediator acts as a neutral third party, guiding participants through discussions around key issues such as child arrangements, financial settlements, and communication breakdowns following a separation or divorce.

Our experienced divorce mediation specialists offer a supportive and professional environment to help families reach practical, long-lasting agreements. Whether you’re navigating child custody mediation, dividing assets, or exploring non-court dispute resolution options, mediation can be a cost-effective and less adversarial alternative to litigation.

What happens at a MIAM?

The process begins with a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM), which is a legal requirement before most family court applications in England. During the first individual meeting, the mediator will explain the process, answer any questions or concerns, and assess whether it’s suitable for your situation. MIAMs typically last around 60 minutes and can be held in person at our offices or remotely via Microsoft Teams.

If mediation is suitable, the next step is to arrange a joint session, where the mediator will be present, along with both participants. In some cases, the participants prefer not to see one another, therefore the session may take place on a shuttle basis, either remotely or in person. Shuttle mediation means that the mediator will speak to both parties privately, ensuring no contact between them. Generally, at least two to three sessions will be required.

Alternative mediation options

We also offer hybrid mediation, which can include solicitors, or other specialist professionals such as accountants, or financial advisors to assist in the mediation process. When appropriate, we can invite the participants solicitors to attend a part of the mediation sessions, to enable any agreement to be drawn up and concluded, without delay, or to assist offering legal advice along the way.

How can family mediation help?

Mediation specialist Lucy Adams from our Teesside office in Stockton-on-Tees explains more.

How family mediation can help resolve disputes without going to court

The current statistics released by the Family Mediation Council demonstrate that 69% of mediated cases resolve some, if not all of the disputed issues.

Mediation can improve communication between participants by adopting a proactive approach. In mediation, we reach bespoke arrangements, by assisting those newly separated to have immediate plans in place, while ensuring to discuss any issues that may arise in the future and how to handle them, therefore minimising the risk of any future conflicts.

Is family mediation right for you?

Mediation can be used as a means of resolving any family dispute. Mediation can assist separating couples in agreeing financial or children matters. We can also assist wider family members, such as grandparents seeking contact with their grandchildren.

Most cases are suitable for mediation, however at Knights we offer a detailed bespoke service and meet both parties individually, at the start of the process, to ensure that we screen for any additional issues, such as any power imbalance or domestic abuse. We have a specialist team to signpost clients for support with areas such as a emotional support, or specialist legal advice.

What happens if family mediation does not work?

Our mediation success rates at Knights are very high, with exceptional client feedback. Our feedback from clients is that mediation enables them to communicate together and work through options, in a more amicable way. We aim to limit the issues outstanding, which in turn should reduce legal costs and future conflict between the participants.

If mediation does not progress, we will suggest client to take independent legal advice to discuss different forms of None Court Dispute Resolution, such as arbitration, early neutral evaluation, or private Financial Dispute Resolution hearings.

Common issues resolved through family mediation

We regularly assist clients in agreeing the arrangements for children and finances on separation.

In a recent mediation case, the parties were able to agree a way forward without issuing court proceedings.

In two mediation sessions, the parties were able to agree:

• The long-term arrangements for the children, including term time, holiday and special occasions such as Christmas and birthdays.
• Resolution of matrimonial finances- including the family home, pensions, private school fees, and the family business.

Why work with a mediator at Knights?

We offer a tailor-made premium mediation service. We offer same day appointments and out of hours sessions, to work round our clients’ schedules and family arrangements. Our premium office spaces enable us to host mediation sessions which create the right environment to be able to mediate comfortably.

Our aim is to improve communication between participants by adopting a proactive approach. We reach bespoke arrangements, by helping put immediate plans in place following separation and discussing any issues that may arise in the future and how to handle them – minimising the risk of future conflict.

As specialist solicitor mediators, having vast experience in family law, we can ensure that sufficient detail is included, to limit unnecessary legal costs and protracted correspondence. Our family mediator has over 16 years’ experience practising in family law, with Law Society Advanced Accreditation in complex financial and children matters.

We ensure that any legal information provided is up-to-date, and we take time to ensure that all issues are dealt with in the session. Following each session, we prepare a session record which includes detailed, clear, and concise information to assist participants in obtaining any legal advice between sessions. We actively encourage parties to obtain independent legal advice throughout the mediation process, and we understand how important it is to ensure any agreement reached is made into a legally binding document, to provide certainty.

At Knights we have a strong family team with specialisms in other forms of None Court Dispute Resolution, such as collaboratively trained Lawyers.

We work very closely with specialist professionals such as divorce coaches, financial advisors and accountants who can help participants in the mediation process. We regularly work with solicitors within the mediation process. Our legal background makes us familiar with the hybrid mediation process, which can work really well in more complex mediation cases.