The Benefits of Family Mediation

Family mediation is much faster than going to court, since mediation is organised for when the parents are available, rather than when the court is ready to schedule a date, which can sometimes be as long as 12 months into the future.

Family mediation is much cheaper than going to court, because mediation avoids the expensive costs of barristers, solicitors, filing fees, court fees, and witness expenses.

Mediation is also confidential but for the exceptions, as previously discussed. Therefore, parents can avoid newspaper reports, court reports and transcription, all of which is a significant advantage for parents with public profiles.

Furthermore, mediation allows the parents to maintain a working co-parental relationship due to the positive and constructive environment that mediation offers, as distinct from the adversarial and litigious nature of going to court.

During mediation, the parents make the decisions about their children and property, not the judge, the lawyers or anyone else. Therefore, family mediation is empowering for the parents.

Finally, family mediation is an informal process, because it does not have the formal protocol or procedures that the court has, thus making it easier for the parents.