Some of my experiences of mediating with children
I have trained to mediate with children (Child-Inclusive Mediation) with the Family Mediators Association.
If both parents agree and the child wants to be part of Family Mediation they should have a voice in Mediation. The Mediator will also have to determine if the case is suitable for the child to be part of Mediation.
Certain facts have been changed to provide anonymity.
Austin Chessell joined London Family Solicitor in October 2019.
Below are Austin’s top 10 tips on how to get ready for Family Mediation.
1. If financial matters are discussed in Family Mediation start collecting your financial disclosure now. Pension documents can sometimes take a while to arrive so you should look to collate your financial information as soon as possible;
2. Do not bring your children to the Family Mediation intake meeting. Personal matters are being discussed. See if it is possible to arrange childcare while you are at the mediation meeting.
Part One of this series of articles provided an overview concerning the work of the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). This government institution is equipped to handle the vast majority of child maintenance matters and was created with the express purpose of limiting the involvement of the Family Court. There are limitations, however, to what the CMS can accomplish. In this article, we shall examine the child maintenance arrangements which the Family Court is able to impose by virtue of Schedule One of the Children Act 1989.
