Frequently Asked Questions

• Mediation is a quicker, cheaper and less stressful way of dealing with family disputes than going through court. It is an alternative to the court process.
• Mediation dealing with Child Only issues takes 1 – 3 sessions
• Mediation is a cost and time effective way of reaching settlement in family disputes which is an alternative to the court process and can greatly improve communication and co working in the future.
• Mediation dealing with all these issues, known as "All Issues", 3 – 5 sessions.
• Most cases are dealt with in 3-4 months from the point of referral
• Final mediation documents are readily converted into a Consent Order or Deed of Separation, if appropriate.

• The MIAM meeting is charged at a flat rate of £75 per person.
• Mediation meetings last for 1.5 hours and are charged on a sliding scale according to income. We send a Schedule of Charges to you when you refer.
• There is a single additional charge later in the mediation process for the preparation of documents to record agreements.
• There is no additional VAT on any charges.

• Mediation is cheaper and quicker than the conventional legal route
• Mediation is not adversarial but works hard to retain the common ground and interests that clients bring
• Mediation respects the knowledge that clients have about their own families
• Clients control the outcome of mediation, though the mediator manages the process and assists in developing options for settlement
• Through work on practical aspects of settlement, mediation helps to improve communication

• Mediation is suitable for most people and most people benefit from it
• If you have any concerns, you can raise them at your MIAM
• You can come to the MIAM either alone or with your ex partner
• At that meeting, there is individual screening for domestic abuse, child protection issues and financial assessment

• YES except if there is a perceived risk of abuse to anyone, in particular a child
• YES except if illegal activity is revealed

• Appointments are available in:
  • Bloxham (Banbury)
  • Cirencester
  • Highworth (Swindon)
  • Oxford
  • Durahm
• Mediation currently online.
• Maps

• Mediators who work for this organisation have been through a comprehensive training and competence assessment process. Their practise is monitored and regulated by their membership organisation and by the Family Mediation Council
• Mediators must belong to one of the Lead regulatory bodies in the Family Mediation Council, work to their Code of Practice and complete ongoing Continual Professional Development, Supervision & Accreditation in order to renew membership annually.
• All mediators working for 4x4 Mediation & Training are members of one of the Lead Bodies of the Family Mediation Council.
• All training courses offered by 4x4 Mediation and Training have been accredited by the College of Mediators and Family Mediation Council Assessors.
• Historically 4x4 Mediation & Training has been regulated and audited by the Legal Aid Agency. Their scrutiny continues for cases involving Legal Aid which have been completed in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Comments, Concerns, Compliments, Complaints

Our aim is to give professional help and support to you through the time of your Divorce or Separation. We are always pleased to know if we have helped you.

We welcome comments and feedback on all parts of our service, Professional and Administrative, so that we can continue to review and improve for Clients.

If you have concerns about the service you have received, we would also like to know so that your concerns can be addressed.

Please write to:
The Principal
Bloxham Mill Business Centre
Barford Road
Bloxham,
Banbury
Oxon OX15 4FF

What is a MIAM

A MIAM is an information meeting which every client attends either on their own or with their former partner or spouse. Information is given about how mediation and divorce process work and the Mediator will gather information from each client about the current situation and the issues to be resolved.

Why should I attend a MIAM

A MIAM informs you about Mediation which is a cost and time effective way to deal with all the matters arising from a separation or divorce. These are called “the ancillary matters” in legal terms. The matters include finance, property, child arrangements, the basis of the divorce petition, future income streams and workability of proposals for settlement and anything else that is relevant to the clients.

The MIAM informs clients about their options for managing the ancillary matters in their separation or divorce and is a requirement of the courts prior to issuing an application for financial matters or child arrangements.

How long does mediation take and what does it cost

Following the MIAMs there will be an average of 4 sessions for All issues or 2 for Child only issues. The costs are set out above.

What happens after Mediation

During the course of mediation, various documents will be prepared for you. If you are dealing with all matters (financial, property, child arrangements), these documents will be converted into the Consent Order and Court Form D81 which are lodged after Decree Nisi.

For Child Matters proposals can be set out in a Statement of Outcome document.

What do I do next

We would be grateful if you would contact us to indicate that you wish to book a MIAM and to tell us whether you wish to attend on your own or with your former partner or spouse. Please either email: office@4x4mediation.com or telephone 01295 722815