Separation Mediation Process
How can mediation help with our separation? Mediation helps two (or more) people come to an agreement on something they are having difficulty sorting out themselves. The mediator is completely impartial and is not on anybody’s side. Their job is to facilitate discussions, stick to an agenda, and keep conversations as calm and constructive as […]
The Essential Guide to Understanding The Family Court in 2023
What is The Family Court? The main work of the Family Court in England & Wales is to make decisions about arrangements for children and finances – often after a divorce. Since 2014, the Family Court is part of local magistrates’ courts or county courts. Going to court to resolve matters concerning finances or arrangements […]
Guest blog: Grandparents 4 Contact
A few words from Hilary Sharpe, Grandparents 4 Contact. I know we are only in March of a new year, but somehow it feels like a continuation of the last one. Despite the constant media hype and the Covid-19 vaccine, it still ‘feels as if’ things are the same. Well, I guess in some areas […]
Declaration of Parentage
What is a Declaration of Parentage? This guide explains what a declaration of parentage is, what you can do to resolve disputes about whether a man is the child’s father, and how to apply to the court for a Declaration of Parentage in accordance to the family law act, which definitively states who are a […]
Financial Consent Order (Form A)
Do I need a financial consent order? Financial consent orders are legal orders. They are made by the courts and make the agreement you have already made on financial matters legally binding for both of you. For example, you and your ex-partner may have come to agreements as to how to progress with finances/assets post-separation […]
National Mediation Awards
National Mediation Awards Managing Partner, Stuart Hanson, and previous winner of one of the National Mediation Awards (NMA), chaired the organising committee for this year’s outstanding National Mediation Awards 2020, which was held online on 23 September 2020. To watch the highlights of the event, click here. The Civil Mediation Council (CMC) and The College […]
Grandparents Rights UK 2024
Grandparents rights to see grandchildren At Direct Mediation Services, we deal with countless grandparents who feel lost as to what they can do to have contact with their grandchildren following a relationship breakdown and what are the grandparents rights in the UK. From our experience we understand that grandparents can really be stuck in the […]
How much does family mediation cost UK
How much will family mediation cost me? One of the first questions mediators get asked is “How much does family mediation cost?” Sadly, there is no straightforward answer, as every case is unique and comes with its own challenges. Some people come to mediation with one specific issue to discuss and other separating couples come […]
Who Pays For Mediation Cost in UK
Ok, so who pays for family mediation? Family mediation is an important part of the post-separation process in supporting you and your ex-partner through changes such as the restructuring of your family and financial commitments. Mediation offers the opportunity for everyone to express their wishes and feelings. A trained mediator will assist you to communicate effectively […]
A Father’s Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding Child Access Rights in 2023
Welcome to fathers who want to know about child access rights We have written this guide, as many fathers ask during the mediation process what their rights are as a parent. Some fathers may not have been added to their child’s birth certificate and as a result they do not have parental responsibility, which restricts their ability to […]