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When a relationship breaks down, emotions often run high, yet there are usually a number of important decisions to be made regarding arrangements for the future.
Talking face-to-face with your former partner may be the quickest and most inexpensive way to resolve your issues and clear communication is not always easy. However, quite understandably, many find this a daunting prospect. That is where Battens’ Family Mediator can help.
Accredited Family Mediator
Our Resolution-trained Family Mediator, Sarah Jackson, from our family law team, will assist you and your former partner to:
- talk to one another in a safe environment;
- focus on what really matters to each of you; and
- reach the best solutions for you and your family.
As part of Battens’ family law team, our mediation service offers practical support to help separating couples move matters forward constructively. Any proposals reached through mediation can, if you wish, later be made legally binding through your own solicitor.
Our team has particular experience in resolving financial matters on divorce, from cases involving modest assets to those with more complex arrangements, including multiple properties, pensions and businesses. If you or your former partner owns a company, family business or partnership, our guide to what happens to a family business on divorce explains how business interests are valued and considered during a financial settlement.
Our Locations
Our Mediator is able to offer online mediation or can see you and your former partner in person at:
- our Bath office at 7 Gay Street, Bath; or
- one of two offices located at 13-14 Orchard Street in the city centre, and 130 Aztec West in Almondsbury (both by appointment only).
Mediation Fees
The initial mediation information and assessment meeting (MIAM) at Battens costs £225 plus VAT and lasts for up to one hour. You will each attend a MIAM separately.
If mediation then proceeds, you will attend joint mediation sessions. Our hourly rate for joint mediation sessions and follow-up work is £350.00 per hour (£175 per person per hour) plus VAT.
Depending on the issues to be resolved, around eight hours of mediation is commonly needed, although more or fewer sessions may be required. If you wish to mediate away from our Bath office, a room hire charge will apply. If mediation is cancelled at short notice, a cancellation charge will also apply.
This hourly rate covers both the mediation sessions and any follow-up work. This may include drafting interim summary letters, reviewing and organising financial disclosure, preparing an open financial statement, and producing a memorandum of understanding at the end of the process. On average, eight to ten hours of follow-up work will be required.
The cost of an average mediation is therefore £3,000 plus VAT per person. This is given as an illustration only, as our fees depend on the time spent mediating and carrying out the necessary follow-up work.
Why choose Battens Solicitors?
At Battens Solicitors, we understand that separation and divorce can be one of the most difficult times in life. Our aim is to make the process as clear, constructive and manageable as possible, helping you move forward with confidence.
Choosing Battens means working with an accredited Family Mediator and experienced family mediation solicitor who provides a safe, supportive environment for open and productive discussion. We focus on practical solutions that work for you and your family, whether the issues relate to child arrangements, finances or future planning.
Our family team understands both the emotional and practical impact of family breakdown and can help you reach proposals that may later be made legally binding by your own solicitor.
Clients choose Battens because we offer:
- Accredited expertise from a Resolution-trained Family Mediator
- Clear, practical support tailored to your family’s circumstances
- Experience in financial matters, including complex cases involving property, pensions and businesses
- Flexible appointments, with mediation available online or in person in Bath
- Straight talking guidance from a trusted South West law firm with a long-standing reputation for supporting families
Our approach is centred on helping you find a way forward that is respectful, efficient and focused on what matters most for your future.
Family Mediation Service
FAQs
What is Family Mediation?
Family mediation is a process in which a specially trained mediator helps separating couples talk through issues and reach agreement on arrangements on child arrangements, finances and other matters following separation. The Family Mediator then draws up the proposal into a Summary, which each of you can take to your own Solicitors.
A Family Mediator is always impartial and works on behalf of both of you equally, irrespective of which of you makes the initial enquiry. The Mediator does not offer advice that influences the decisions of either of you, but gives general information about the legal aspects of relationship breakdown and assists a couple to reach workable solutions.
Why choose Mediation?
The main reasons that people choose to mediate are that:
- It gives you more control over the outcome rather than having one imposed on you by the court;
- The costs are usually considerably less than using solicitors as intermediaries;
- It helps you to resolve issues much more quickly, at a pace to suit you;
- It reduces tension and hostility, which is beneficial to any children who can see that their parents are working together to resolve their issues.
What are the benefits for children?
Mediation helps separated parents build cooperative parenting relationships for the well-being of their children; your children will watch how you manage the situation and, if they see that you are making decisions about them together, they will cope better.
Mediation will help you focus on the needs of your children and learn about each other’s parenting experiences, which will allow a greater empathy and understanding to develop between you.
What is a Resolution-trained Mediator?
Our Mediator was trained by Resolution, a national body of family solicitors, and is also a practicing Family Solicitor. This means she is well placed to help you reach practical solutions that can later be turned into a legally binding agreement by your own solicitor.
How much does Family Mediation cost?
Our Mediator’s fees are competitive at £175 plus VAT per person per hour for Mediation and any necessary follow-up paperwork.
The cost of mediation is usually much lower than the traditional route, where each person uses their own solicitor to exchange information, negotiate and reach an agreement.
Will I still need a Solicitor?
Mediators do not give legal advice and do not represent individuals. They are there to help both of you work out a plan for the future. Once you and your former partner have finalised a proposal through Mediation, you should then discuss it with your own Solicitors, who can, if desired, make it into a legally binding agreement. Either of you can consult your own Solicitor during any stage of the Mediation process should you wish to do so.
MIAM meaning
A MIAM is a ‘Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting’. Our Family Mediator has received authorisation from the Mediation Council to conduct these meetings. We charge a fixed fee of £270 (£225 plus VAT) for the meeting itself, which includes the provision of a mediator’s certificate, should you require one.