J Farrer Mediation | Family Mediation in Warwickshire Banbury Cotswolds | Civil and Commercial Mediation | Separation divorce and child arrangements

Mediation can be quicker, less stressful and less expensive than going to court.

Once a settlement has been reached a settlement agreement can be drawn up. Parties tend to keep to the settlement agreement because they have agreed the terms themselves.

Mediations are completely confidential and the information discussed within them cannot be used in court or any other legal action issued at a later date.

If mediation doesn't resolve the dispute, court proceedings can follow. Mediation therefore offers participants better access to justice than a court process alone, as it provides a chance to settle the dispute without immediate recourse to the court.

Once the parties have agreed to mediation, the mediator arranges to meet with them. Parties sign an Agreement to Mediate, which sets out the principles and process of mediation.

Typically, mediation takes up to one day. It takes place in separate rooms, which can be online or at an agreed neutral venue. Parties have their own room and there is another room for joint meetings to hold face to face negotiations. The mediator will shuttle between the parties and see them separately in turn.

The mediator is impartial and does not give advice to the parties or tell them what the outcome should be. The mediator's role is to facilitate the settlement of the dispute by the parties themselves by helping them to examine the strengths and weaknesses of their cases and by helping them put together options and practical solutions to resolve the dispute. The outcome of mediation is only legally binding only once the parties have recorded their agreement in writing and signed it.