Family mediators understand that when relationships break down, talking face to face can seem the hardest thing to do. Skilled mediators can help the process by keeping communications channels open and working with couples together to reach the right decisions about their futures.

How does family mediation work ?

• Your mediator may have a number of sessions with you and your partner in an attempt to assist you reaching agreement – up to 6 sessions lasting up to a couple of hours is not unusual.
• Family mediators provide impartial guidance in helping you both agree on a fair and practical solution.
• You may seek advice from your own independent solicitor at any stage on what is right for you.
• When you have both reached an agreement you are content with, your own solicitor finalises legal formalities.
• Resolution-trained family mediators routinely conduct mediations alone. However they can, if you wish, work alongside a second mediator.

Why use a Family Mediator?

Mediation can really help tone down the emotional heat and in particular:

• Mediation can cut the emotional cost of divorce or separation by reducing hostility between the parties.
• Family mediators often speed the whole process up – whether it be a divorce case or disagreements about arrangements for children – simply by getting couples together to work out a solution rather than exchanging seemingly endless correspondence between solicitors.
• Mediation avoids expensive court battles. Just one type of lawyer is able to act for both parties in any family dispute – the specially trained 'lawyer mediator'. There can be significant advantages in appointing such mediators as they have both specialist legal knowledge and mediation skills. As a result there is no need for two sets of lawyers. Much of the legal work can be done by just one lawyer mediator at the same time, significantly reducing legal fees.
• Because mediation keeps couples talking, it can have a hugely positive effect on children who benefit simply from knowing their parents are working together to sort things out.
• Mediation encourages couples to work out their own solutions, leading to the best outcome for everyone involved.

How family mediation can help you

Couples going through a relationship breakdown, or other family members experiencing problems, can benefit from mediation services in a number of ways including:

• Mediation in divorce or separation;
• Mediation for those who have gone through divorce or separation;
• Mediation in disputes over residence or contact arrangements for children;
• Mediation in an unmarried relationship;
• Mediation for problems in a same sex relationship;
• Mediation for grandparents or other family members experiencing difficulties in seeing children.

Why choose our Family Mediator?

Family mediators provide impartial advice and assist couples in reaching practical solutions which seem fair for all involved. What makes our two Resolution trained family mediators, Amanda Trappes-Lomax and Kate Scammell, special is that they are not only highly experienced and qualified specialist family Legal Executives, but they are also fully accredited collaborative lawyers who understands the law in addition to their mediation skills.

Contact our Family Mediator

We provide mediation services for clients throughout Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire including Wimborne, Ferndown, Devizes, Chippenham,  Frome, Trowbridge, Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Blandford Forum, Wincanton, Melksham, Shepton Mallett, Corsham, Ringwood and Fordingbridge. Our family mediator can see you in our Salisbury, Andover, Verwood or Warminster offices. 

For specialist advice, contact our family mediators today on

• Salisbury  [01722 422300] or email Amanda Trappes-Llomax
• Andover [01264 364433] or email Kate Scammell