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Peterborough Family Mediation
We have included a number of ADR scheme profiles on this site. This profile is of a local family mediation service, based in Peterborough and serving the local district. Not-for-profit family mediation services, like this one, are located throughout England and Wales. Information about your local service can be found on the National Family Mediation website, or the Scottish Mediation Network website.
This page contains information about:
Background
Types of dispute
Cost
How it works
Timescale
Outcomes
Background
The service was established in Peterborough in 1989, and offers mediation in all couple and family disputes, particularly those related to separation, divorce and parental conflict. It is a charity, and has a franchise from the Legal Services Commission to provide publicly funded family mediation in Peterborough and the surrounding district.
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Types of dispute
The family mediation service is used by couples who are separating and divorcing, and who need to make decisions about the future of their children, and about arrangements for their house and their money. Couples can be
- married or unmarried
- divorced or still married
- in same sex relationships
- living together or separated some years
Individuals can also come to “information meetings” to have a confidential discussion about any aspect of separation and divorce, and to find out about various sources of help and information.
The service also offers mediation between:
- parents and grandparents, where there is a dispute about contact with grandchildren
- stepfamilies, where there is conflict about any aspect of family life
- parents and children, who may have inter-generational disputes not connected with separation or divorce
Talktime is an additional service offering counselling to children between the ages 6 and 19 who are experiencing difficulties connected with their parents’ separation, divorce or parental conflict.
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Cost
People on a low income, and eligible for public funding, will not have to pay for mediation. If one person in a couple is eligible, an initial meeting for the other person will also be provided without charge. It is also worth noting that the statutory charge does not apply to mediation, so the cost of legal aid will not have to be repaid in the future. Legal advice to support family mediation can also be provided free through the “help with mediation” public funding scheme.
Those not eligible for public funding pay on a sliding scale, according to income. The scale runs from £44 to £97 per person per mediation.
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How it works
People can approach the service directly, or can be referred by their solicitor or another agency. If one person wants to try mediation, they can either contact the other parent directly, or, if they prefer, the mediator will make the first contact with information about the mediation service.
Each person comes for a first appointment to discuss with a mediator whether mediation might be able to help. Couples can decide whether these initial appointments can take place separately or together. The service suggests that if there is a high level of conflict, then it is better to come separately at first.
Mediation appointments last for ninety minutes, and between 1 and 6 appointments may take place, depending on the number and complexity of the issues to be resolved. The aim is to produce a written agreement which both parties feel will work for them and for their situation.
Where financial issues are involved, each party must have independent legal advice from their own solicitor before making any mediated agreement legally binding.
Children and other family members can take part in mediation, by agreement with everyone concerned.
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Timescale
One of the advantages of mediation is that it can usually take place very promptly. Initial appointments are usually offered within 1 – 2 weeks, and future meetings can be arranged to suit both parties and the mediator.
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Outcomes
Overall, around three quarters of people using Peterborough FMS tend to reach agreement on some or all of the issues in dispute. Where issues are still unresolved, often they can be clarified during the mediation process, and better communication techniques can be practiced. If some issues remain unresolved, parties can ask solicitors to continue negotiations on their behalf, or take the matter to court.
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Key websites
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