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Family Mediation

How we can help

If you wish to resolve divorce, financial settlement, or children matters without going to court, our solicitors and mediators, with over 25 years of experience in family law, can help.

Mediation gives you and your former partner the chance to reach your own decisions, with support. An independent Mediator facilitates a structured conversation between you, helping you discuss the issues openly, identify what each of you needs, and work towards an agreement you have both shaped. The Mediator does not take sides or tell you what to do and does not provide either of the participants with legal advice

Family mediation can cover the full range of issues arising when a relationship ends: arrangements for children, the division of finances and property, and plans for the practical aspects of life after separation. Agreements reached in mediation are not automatically binding, as they are non binding confidential proposals.  Legal advisors would then assist you in ensuring these are confirmed openly and converted into a Consent Order by a court and made fully enforceable.

Purcell Solicitors can either act as

–    The mediator or

–    Your legal advisor providing support at mediation.

At Purcell Solicitors, we offer mediation services across Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, and the wider Thames Valley. Lisa Buckridge is a Family Mediation Council-accredited Mediator offering the full range of mediation including hybrid mediation and child-inclusive mediation.

Our team are highly ranked in Chambers and Partners for family and divorce law, and all of our qualified solicitors are Resolution members committed to helping you reach sensible, fair agreements in a non-confrontational manner.

Mediation Square

Why Us?

Why Choose Purcell Solicitors for Family Mediation?

Mediation is most effective when both parties feel heard and properly supported.

Purcell Solicitors cannot act as both mediator and legal advisors e.g. if we are the mediators we cannot provide legal advice, and if advising in support of mediation we cannot be appointed as the mediator.

As mediator Lisa Buckridge holds accreditation from the Family Mediation Council and specialist training in child-inclusive mediation. She works across both financial and children’s matters. Where mediation is not the right fit, we can also advise on collaborative law or family arbitration as alternatives.

As legal advisors who support mediation as a good outcome many of our clients ask us to advise on the proposals they are hearing in mediation and whether those proposals are fair in legal terms. Arriving at each session better informed tends to lead to better decisions.

Please contact us on 01908 693000 or complete our contact form and one of our family law team will call you to discuss your situation.

Setting Out Your Proposals

How Does Mediation Work?

Our trained Mediator meets with each of you individually to understand your situation, and for you all to make an informed decision as to whether Mediation is the right choice. If the decision is made by all that Mediation will commence, joint sessions will be arranged.

Typically, mediation consists of 4 to 6 sessions which last between 1.5 to 2 hours but this will depend on your individual circumstances and can be face-to-face or via video link as appropriate. The purpose is for you to take ownership and create a joint document setting out your proposals for the future that you would then make legally binding.

We offer the following mediation services:

  • Acting as mediator, whether by video appointment or in person at our offices.
  • Conducting Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs), usually the required first step before most court applications, to assess whether mediation is suitable for your situation.
  • Providing full family mediation in relation to financial matters, property division, and arrangements for children.
  • Offering child-inclusive mediation, where children aged 10 or over can speak to the mediator separately so their views can inform their parents’ decisions.
  • Providing hybrid mediation, combining facilitated sessions with the involvement of your respective solicitors so legal support can run alongside the discussions.
  • Drafting outcome documents, including a Memorandum of Understanding, to record the decisions reached in mediation.
  • Advising you between sessions on the proposals under discussion and on what a court is likely to order, so your decisions are properly informed.
  • Ensuring any agreement reached in mediation is properly formalised and, where appropriate, made legally binding.
  • Applying for a Consent Order after mediation to make your financial agreement legally binding and enforceable.
  • Assisting you with a parenting plan or, where appropriate, a court order in relation to child arrangements.

Meet Our Mediation Specialist

Lisa Buckridge

Lisa is an experienced family solicitor and an accredited family mediator. Our mediation department is commended as a “highly capable department” in Chambers and Partners 2022.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can mediation cover both financial matters and children’s arrangements?

Do I have to agree to whatever the Mediator suggests?

How can I refer a client to Family Mediation?

How many sessions does mediation usually take?

How much does Family Mediation cost?

How much does mediation cost?

Is mediation suitable for all family disputes?

What happens after mediation is complete?

What happens at a MIAM?

See What Our Clients Say

I just would not have coped without Pauline’s expertise at all times

"I just would not have coped without Pauline’s expertise at all times, her professionalism, her patience and her kindness too. I thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Thank you Mandi for all your help and advice during a very difficult time in my life. I realise how important it is to have a reliable professional on my side and I can't thank you enough

"Thank you Mandi for all your help and advice during a very difficult time in my life. I realise how important it is to have a reliable professional on my side and I can't thank you enough"

I really wanted to thank you, Lisa, for all of your help and support throughout. I know you did everything that you could to assist and I appreciated your kindness, patience and all you have done for me. You took a personal approach to my case for which I am very grateful.

"I really wanted to thank you, Lisa, for all of your help and support throughout. I know you did everything that you could to assist and I appreciated your kindness, patience and all you have done for me. You took a personal approach to my case for which I am very grateful."

I hope I can convey how much reassurance, courage, strength and importantly - professional legal advice on family matters including divorce, financial and child arrangements, that the team at Purcell's provided to me at such a difficult, emotional time.

"I hope I can convey how much reassurance, courage, strength and importantly - professional legal advice on family matters including divorce, financial and child arrangements, that the team at Purcell's provided to me at such a difficult, emotional time."

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