Family Mediation is a process in which an impartial third person, the Mediator, facilitates those involved in family breakdown to make arrangements in relation to children, money, property and the practical ending of relationships following the breakdown of marriages, unmarried relationships, same sex relationships and relationships involving the wider family. The process is managed by the Mediator but the issues are those of the clients. However, the Mediator can give clients guidance when this is appropriate as to the kind of issues that they may find helpful to resolve and the ways in which their issues could be resolved.
The couples or other family members involved in a family breakdown are helped within the mediation process to explore their issues and concerns and to reach their own joint and mutually acceptable decisions.
Although issues in mediation generally centre on arrangements for divorce or separation, children, finance and property, they can involve communication and relationship problems. Mediation is not therapy but it can have therapeutic benefits.
