Family Mediation Solicitors with offices across Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and London
Family disputes don’t follow a neat timeline. Whether you’re going through a separation now, or disagreeing with a former partner years down the line over a child arrangement or financial matter, family mediation gives you a way to resolve it without going to court. A trained, impartial mediator helps both parties work through what’s in dispute, calmly, confidentially, and without handing control to a judge. Trethowans’ family mediation team works from offices in Southampton, Winchester, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Poole, and London.
Ready to talk it through? Speak to one of our family mediation solicitors on 0800 2800 421 or via our online enquiry form.
What is mediation?
Family mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which an independent, professionally trained mediator helps people resolve disputes involving children, finances, or property without going to court. The mediator does not take sides, give legal advice, or make decisions for either party; they create the conditions for both people to find a workable solution together. Mediation can only go ahead with the consent of both parties and can be stopped at any point.
It is used by separating couples, divorced parents, and people who split years ago but need to revisit arrangements that are no longer working. Disputes over where a child lives, how financial assets are divided, or how property is dealt with can all be resolved through mediation.
What our family mediation solicitors can help with
Family mediation is not a single, one-size-fits-all process. The issues people bring to mediation vary enormously, and our team is experienced across all of them.
Child arrangement mediation
Disputes over where a child lives, how much time they spend with each parent, schooling decisions, or holiday arrangements are among the most common reasons people come to mediation. These are also the disputes where getting it right matters most. Our mediators help parents focus on what works for their children rather than what feels fair to them — a distinction that makes a significant difference to outcomes. If you are dealing with a child arrangement dispute, you may also be eligible for a £500 government voucher towards the cost of mediation through the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which has been extended through 2026–27.
Divorce and separation mediation
If you are separating or divorcing and need to reach agreement on finances, property, or arrangements for children, mediation is usually faster and significantly cheaper than court proceedings. Family mediation typically resolves disputes within a matter of months, compared to twelve to twenty-four months for contested court proceedings. Our Southampton, Winchester, Salisbury, Bournemouth, and Poole teams handle separation mediation regularly and can help you reach agreements that are practical, fair, and capable of being made legally binding.
Financial dispute mediation
Mediation is not limited to the immediate aftermath of a relationship breakdown. Disputes over how assets, savings, pensions, or property are divided can arise or re-emerge long after a separation. Our mediators can bring in a neutral financial adviser where needed to provide information on the impact of financial proposals, including pension sharing and capital division, so that both parties can make informed decisions.
Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs)
Before making most family court applications in England and Wales, you are required by law to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, known as a MIAM. This is a one-to-one meeting with a qualified mediator, where the mediator explains the mediation process and assesses whether it is suitable for your situation. It is not a commitment to mediate. Our accredited mediators conduct MIAMs across our offices in Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset, as well as in London by appointment.
How our family mediation solicitors can help you
- Initial enquiry
Contact our team and we will talk you through whether mediation is likely to be suitable for your situation. There is no obligation at this stage.
- MIAM: your individual assessment meeting
Each party attends a separate Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting with one of our accredited mediators. This is a confidential, one-to-one session where the mediator explains the process, answers your questions, and assesses whether mediation is appropriate. If court proceedings are already in mind, a MIAM is a legal requirement before most applications can be made.
- Joint mediation sessions
If both parties agree to proceed, and it is suitable to do so, joint sessions are arranged in a neutral setting. The mediator guides the discussion, ensures both voices are heard, and helps you work towards agreement. Sessions typically last around 90 minutes. Most cases are resolved within two to six sessions.
- Reaching an agreement
When an agreement is reached in relation to financial matters the mediator prepares a Memorandum of Understanding setting out the terms. This is not legally binding in itself, but it forms the basis for a consent order or other legal document that can be made binding by the court.
When an agreement is reached in relation to children matters, the mediator can prepare a Parenting Plan, which sets out your agreed intentions for the future arrangements for the children.
- Taking legal advice
We always recommend that both parties take independent legal advice on any agreement before it is finalised. Our family solicitors across Southampton, Winchester, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Poole, and London can advise you at this stage.
Why choose Trethowans as your family mediation solicitors
Accredited, experienced mediators
Our mediators include some of the most experienced family law practitioners in the south of England. Grant Cameron, Partner and National Chair of Resolution from 2023 to 2025, is ranked by Chambers and Partners and praised for his “sensible, constructive” approach and “great level of emotional awareness.” Kimberley Davies, also Chambers-ranked, is described as “a very impressive lawyer and mediator.”
Kimberley Davies and Laura Bell are accredited mediators, which means they are able to sign MIAM certificates.
Resolution members
Our family mediators are members of Resolution, the national organisation committed to resolving family matters constructively and without unnecessary conflict. That commitment shapes how we work: focused on practical, lasting solutions rather than prolonging disputes.
Recognised expertise
Trethowans is recommended as a top-tier firm in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners guides, and was shortlisted for the Family Law Awards 2024. Our family team is ranked among the best in the region, with offices in Southampton, Salisbury, Bournemouth, Winchester, Poole, and London.
Speak to our family mediation solicitors
Family mediation works best when you get the right advice early. Whether you are at the start of a dispute or have been trying to resolve things for some time, our team can help you work out whether mediation is the right route and what to do next.
Meet us in person
We have offices across the south of England and a base in London, making it straightforward to meet a family mediation solicitor face to face. You can find us in Bournemouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton and Winchester, with London appointments available on request.
Get in touch
Call us today on 0800 2800 421 or make an enquiry online to arrange your free initial consultation.
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Frequently asked questions about family mediation
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Family mediation is a confidential process in which a trained, impartial mediator helps two parties resolve disputes over children, finances, or property without going to court. The mediator does not make decisions or give legal advice, they help both people communicate and reach their own agreement. Sessions are voluntary and can be stopped at any point.
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Family mediation can cover a wide range of disputes including where a child lives, contact arrangements, holiday schedules, financial settlements, property division, and pension sharing. It is not limited to people going through a divorce or separation, and is also used by parents who separated years ago and need to revisit arrangements that are no longer working.
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In most cases, yes. Under section 10(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014, attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) is compulsory before making most family court applications in England and Wales. The MIAM is a one-to-one meeting with an accredited mediator who assesses whether mediation is suitable. It is not a commitment to mediate.
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Mediation is voluntary and cannot be forced on either party. However, a refusal to engage with mediation without a reasonable excuse can directly affect who pays legal costs, and in family proceedings that can run to tens of thousands of pounds. A judge will want to know why mediation was refused, and unreasonable refusal is considered poor conduct. If the other party declines, your mediator will issue a signed certificate allowing you to proceed with a court application.
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Family mediation usually resolves disputes within a matter of months, compared to court proceedings which typically take twelve to twenty-four months from initial application to final hearing. The number of sessions needed varies depending on the complexity of the issues involved, but most cases are resolved within two to six joint sessions.
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The cost of family mediation is significantly lower than contested court proceedings. If your dispute involves arrangements for children, you may be eligible for a £500 government voucher towards the cost of mediation through the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which has been extended through 2026–27. Your mediator will confirm costs at the outset.
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A mediation agreement is not automatically legally binding. When an agreement is reached in relation to financial matters, the mediator prepares a Memorandum of Understanding setting out the terms. Both parties should then take independent legal advice before the agreement is converted into a consent order, which can be approved by the court and made legally binding.
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Family mediation involves an independent mediator who helps both parties reach agreement without legal representatives in the room. Collaborative law involves each party having their own solicitor present throughout the negotiation process, working together to reach a settlement. Mediation tends to be less expensive; collaborative law offers more direct legal input at each stage. Our team can advise which approach is better suited to your situation.
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