Family mediation solicitors
Mediation services to help resolve family disputes
Clarke Willmott offers family mediation and other out of Court resolution methods as a means of resolving the difficult issues you may be facing when getting divorced, dissolving your civil partnership or separating from your partner.
Our expert family law team includes solicitors who are also trained mediators, collaborative lawyers and arbitration specialists, who can also advise you on the terms of your settlement as the process progresses and on the final agreement you reach.
Call 0800 422 0123 or get in touch online to arrange a confidential initial consultation.
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Why choose family mediation to resolve your dispute?
Mediation might be an appealing option if you want to focus on finding an amicable solution to your divorce or separation.
You and your ex-partner will work with a fully trained, completely neutral mediator to come to an agreement on divisive issues such as arrangements for children and financial settlements in a calmer, more collaborative environment than a Courtroom.
You must have considered whether your dispute could be settled through family mediation before beginning court proceedings. It may not be appropriate, but increasingly the Court wants to know that it has been considered before litigation proceeds.
Other reasons for choosing family mediation include:
- Less upsetting, confrontational and stressful for everyone involved, especially if you have children
- Faster, and therefore cheaper, than going to Court
- You reach an amicable settlement with your ex-partner on your terms, not the Court’s
Your solicitor can advise you whether family mediation is a suitable approach for your dispute.
Why choose collaborative law to settle your dispute?
Collaborative law is a different way of dealing with divorce or separation that’s distinct from a co-operative or conciliatory approach to negotiations.
You, your ex-partner and your respective solicitors sign an agreement stating that you all agree to resolve the issues between you without going to Court. This allows you and your ex-partner to achieve a mutually acceptable agreement in a dignified manner.
The aim is to reach an agreement through consensus and avoid having a decision imposed on you by a judge, which you both may find unacceptable and is often extremely expensive and divisive.
Collaborative law doesn’t suit everyone, but many couples find it an extremely rewarding process. It requires both of you to participate freely, openly and actively at a series of meetings aimed at resolving disputes, such as how to divide your business assets or finances, and how you will care for your children.
Once the formal collaboration process has begun, if either of you decides to go to Court, both your solicitors will have to stop acting for you and you will need to instruct new legal advisors. So you both need to be committed to the process from the start.
We can discuss with you whether collaborative law is appropriate for your situation.
Why choose arbitration for dispute resolution?
Family arbitration is the process of appointing someone to determine the appropriate property and financial settlement for your circumstances. It’s a method of alternative dispute resolution, and the aim is to reach a sensible outcome more quickly and with less expense than going through the Courts. It is also entirely confidential.
The process can be tailored to meet your and your ex-partner’s specific requirements, both in terms of timings for each stage and what the arbitrator is asked to determine. The arbitrator may decide upon the whole financial settlement or upon specific elements of it.
Arbitration will not be suitable for everyone, particularly if there are concerns over complex or hidden assets. It will require both of you to fully engage in the process and to be open with each other.
Why choose our family mediation services?
- Professional mediators and collaborative lawyers on our team
- Understanding and sensitive approach to family dispute resolution
- Members of Resolution and fully committed to taking a non-confrontational approach to family disputes
- Family law solicitors rated highly by Chambers UK and The Legal 500
- Strict cost control and highly competitive fees
- Firm-wide legal expertise to advise on any other legal matters that may arise
Recommendations
‘An extremely capable team who are close-knit and supportive.’ – The Legal 500 2025
‘Collaborative working makes this team a force to be reckoned with; they are thoughtful and responsive and work hard together to get the job done for their client.’ – The Legal 500 2025
“Clarke Willmott have really good attention to detail and provide information well in advance.” – Chambers 2025
“I have really noticed the depth and skill across the board at Clarke Willmott. All queries are handled promptly and difficult matters are dealt with sensitively and pragmatically.” – Chambers 2025
Arrange a family mediation consultation
Call 0800 422 0123 or contact us online to speak to a family dispute solicitor about our mediation and collaborative law services. We have family mediators and collaborative lawyers based nationwide in Bristol, Birmingham, London, Manchester, Cardiff, Southampton and Taunton.
