National Help Line: 0113 468 9593
Divorced or separated?
Having child or financial issues?
- Our award winning, accredited family mediators can support you
- Online & in 230+ locations across England and Wales
- Mediation appointments within 24 hours or before
- Call our National Help Line: 0113 468 9593
Family mediation can benefit
you and your family
For many, family mediation is preferable to the court process.
It is in your children's best interests
It is well known that when parents co-operate, there is a beneficial effect on children, as it helps them maintain important family relationships.
It is usually quicker than going to court
The family mediation route takes on average 110 days, compared with 435 days for non-mediated cases. Therefore the average time saving is 325 days (10.5 months).
An agreement can be made in a safe & confidential environment
Mediation is always confidential. Meetings are private and at the mediator’s office or a neutral venue.
It is less stressful & results in less conflict
The courts are often known for their adversarial approach and people often try to ‘win’ against the other, without looking at the overall picture.
It puts the decision in your hands, not the courts
A family mediator will assist you to find a solution that works for you and your family and importantly, how you can make this agreement legally binding.
It is usually cheaper for you than going to court
According to The National Audit Report in 2012, the average cost per client for mediation was £675. The average cost per client for cases going to court was £2,823. This in an average cost saving of £2,148.
mediation could save you money
£675
AVERAGE COST PER PERSON FOR MEDIATION
£2823
AVERAGE COST PER PERSON TO GO TO COURT
£2148
AVERAGE SAVING PER PERSON
Get a free call back!
We will get in touch as soon as possible.
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Family Mediation Services
Online MIAM
MIAM
Family Mediation
About Us
We are a team of Family Mediation Council accredited mediators
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We can offer you both online and face to face Mediation Information & Assessment Meetings (MIAMs) and mediation throughout England and Wales. As our mediators are all accredited, they are able to sign court forms, such as the C100 and the Form A.
Our family mediation team support you and your family through change, which may be as a result of separation, divorce, or family restructuring. As trained and impartial family mediators, we aim to help you and your ex-partner communicate more effectively and to support you in making your own arrangements for the future, rather than the courts deciding what is best for you and your children.
Legal Aid for family mediation
Legal Aid is often available to those who are on a low income or on specific benefits, such as Universal Credit. To see if you qualify, complete our free online Legal Aid assessment form. If you make a successful Legal Aid application, there will be no charges for your MIAM and mediation sessions. In addition to this, it will also pay for the MIAM and first mediation session with your ex-partner.
Meet the team
Meet our friendly, supportive & multi-lingual team. Direct Mediation Services has one of the largest networks of accredited family mediators across England and Wales. They come from a diverse range of professional backgrounds including family solicitors, therapists, and social workers. What unites us as a team is our commitment to helping families resolve conflict through the mediation process. Below are four of our team who are responsible for the day to day running of the business.
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Stuart Hanson BMus (Hons), FMCA
Managing Partner & Family Mediator
Stuart is a Family Mediator accredited by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) in all issues and is a member of the College of Mediators. He also delivers training for mediators nationally on the subject of the LGBT family in the mediation room and the international family. He was previously a family magistrate in Leeds. Stuart works as a mediator both in the UK and abroad. He is the founder of the company and was instrumental in building the national network of mediators which the firm has. In 2018 Stuart was presented with a National Mediation Award and for a number of years was on the board of directors at The College of Mediators.
Dorian Ramirez Sosa PhD
Office & Finance Manager
Dorian initially studied in his home country of Mexico and later graduated with a PhD from the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Leeds. His research focused on the development of alternative biological routes for the conversion of waste-to-energy. Dorian’s scientific and analytical approaches are applied in his managing of the company’s office and finances. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and is supporting the business in its development in Spain. Member of the College of Mediators since 2019.
Jan Coulton LLB (Hons), FMCA, PPC
Practice Supervisor & Family Mediator
Jan has been a mediator for 30 years. She is accredited by the FMC and has held many senior positions. She was previously the Director of the Family Mediators Association and a Member of the Ministry of Justice Family Mediation Steering Group. She is also a qualified solicitor. Jan is the Chair of The College of Mediators and in 2018 and 2020 won Family Mediator of the Year at the National Mediation Awards.
Our non-executive board of directors.
Our team is supported by our non-executive board of directors. The board members bring a wealth of experience to the company, with directors’ backgrounds ranging from business to social work.
Blog
Keep yourself updated with our mediation blog.
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Your Guide to Understanding Parental Responsibility
Call: 0113 468 9593What is parental responsibility?This guide explains what parental responsibility is, who has parental responsibility and what steps you can take as a father who is not married to the child(ren)’s mother, or as a step parent, or as a same-sex couple,...
Declaration of Parentage
Call: 0113 468 9593What is a Declaration of Parentage?This guide explains what a declaration of parentage is, what you can do to resolve disputes about whether a man is the child’s father, and how to apply to the court for a Declaration of Parentage which definitively...
A Christmas Message
Call: 0113 468 9593 A Christmas Message By Stuart Hanson, Managing Partner & Family Mediator 2020 has marked a year of acute change - one that no one could have contemplated. We have seen every aspect of our lives impacted and no one has been spared. Life...
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Mediation for Separating Families
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Neath Town Hall
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Manor Farm Community Association
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Direct Mediation Services
Direct Mediation Services is a trading name of The Intelligent Solutions Group Ltd. The company is registered in England and Wales - Company number 7760633. The VAT registration number for the company is 334 8141 12. Our company’s registered address is 5 Carla Beck House, Carla Beck Lane, Carleton, Skipton, BD23 3BQ.
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