Family Mediation

Family Mediation is a dispute resolution process aimed at assisting people who are in a relationship with one another, in resolving their dispute without their first having to go the legal route in an attempt to have their dispute resolved.

The process is informal and it takes place outside of the legal arena hence the process being known as an alternative dispute resolution process or ADR. Parties who choose to go the mediation route are not precluded from accessing the justice system should they at any stage, be of the opinion, that this is what is needed for their matter.

The mediation process is conducted by a third-party facilitator known as a Mediator who is required to remain neutral, non-aligned to either party, and to have no vested interest as to how the dispute may ultimately be resolved.

In family mediation the mediator helps parties to reach a mutually satisfying agreement that recognises the needs and rights of all family members. Mediation is not family therapy, but the mediator may suggest that parties go to therapy. The mediation may at any rate result in there being less bitterness and conflict between the parties, but the objectives of mediation may differ, depending on the style of mediation that is used.

Any strife in a family unit causes a lot of distress to the members who are often too near to the problem to think clearly or behave logically. This prevents people to resolve their conflicts on their own.

The roll of Family Mediators is to facilitate a process of calm, fair and logic dialogue to assist you to reach a legally binding agreement.