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Family Mediation is available to separating couples to help them
resolve issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship usually
relating to finances and property or children.
Rebecca Procter and Ian Scofield are both trained and experienced
Mediators and may be able to assist you.
1. How can I benefit from Mediation?
Mediation enables you and your partner to sort out your own arrangements
for the future for yourself. It helps you to consider a fair solution
for everyone concerned.
Mediation can help reduce misunderstandings and generally to improve
communication between you for the future. This is particularly important
when children are involved.
2. Is Mediation the same as Counselling?
No Mediation is not the same as counselling. It does not seek to
resolve relationship issues but to look purely at the practical
arrangements proposed for the future.
Mediators can refer you to a counselling organisation if this would
be helpful. This may be appropriate if you are still hoping to keep
the relationship together and to obtain support to deal with your
feelings and emotions relating to the separation.
3. What do the Mediators do?
You may have or two Mediators present with you. They must remain
impartial to both of you. They can provide legal information but
must not give legal advice. They will help you to find resolutions
but any decision making is between you and your partner.
Their role is also to ensure that you both have an opportunity
to set out your concerns and needs and also that you both listen
to each other.
4. What happens in Mediation?
A Mediation Session usually lasts between 11/2 - 2 hours. You can
attend as many sessions as you wish. It s common to attend between
2 and 4.
The Mediation itself will take place at a venue near you in a comfortable
and relaxing environment.
5. Will Mediation be suitable?
Mediation is only one way of resolving issues between you and your
partner. It may not be suitable in certain circumstances. For example:-
- You are in fear of your partner
- Your partner is unable to engage in Mediation because of dependency
on alcohol, drugs or perhaps mental health.
Before you attend Mediation with your partner you will have an
opportunity of meeting a Mediator on your own, where you can discuss
any concerns you have about Mediation.
6. How much does it cost?
You may call us to be advised on the present private rates for Mediation.
Generally this is much lower than the private rate of a Solicitor.
Mediation can often save on costs and delay. You may be eligible
for Public Funded Mediation, in which case it will be “free”
this is an important consideration.
7. How do I make an appointment?
Rebecca Procter and Ian Scofield are Members of the Devon Family
Mediation Agency (Tel. No. 01392 420888). You can call us for initial
advice regarding this.
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