Mediation Voucher Scheme

If one of the issues being mediated involves child arrangements, we are pleased to be able to offer you access to the government mediation voucher scheme that allows funding of up to £500 towards a mediation case (i.e. £250 per person). This means that the voucher can also be claimed if you are discussing other…

Brexit and Mediation

It was an interesting moment when I received the early morning call a few weeks ago from the Danny Pike show on BBC Radio Sussex/Surrey asking whether I would be interested in taking part in a show about whether mediation might be a useful intervention in the Brexit process. Having agreed to take part, I…

Family Mediation in London

Having assisted many clients with the mediation process at a number of locations in London over the years, I am please to report that we now have a fixed office location in Central London which is conveniently located next to St Paul’s Cathedral. More information about the office can be found on the London Family…

Divorce and Separation Guide Videos

Far too often, people who are going through divorce or separation believe, or are advised, that mediation is not suitable. We need to change the family law culture so that everyone considers mediation first. Watch the new “Why mediate?…or,,,Why not mediate?” video to find out more. Please watch the first set of videos below to…

Divorce and Separation Guide

Are you going through or considering a separation or divorce? If so, then you should read the new “Divorce and separation guide – there is a better way!” Having spent many years working as a full-time family mediator, during which time I have assisted well over 1,000 people to navigate their way through divorce and…

Eagle Radio story about Family Mediation Week

It is great to see Eagle Radio covering Family Mediation Week: http://www.964eagle.co.uk/news/local-news/2206198/new-scheme-aims-to-help-children-affected-by-their-parents-divorce/ You can also listen to the news podcasts here: First Eagle Radio news podcast Second Eagle Radio news podcast First Eagle Radio news podcast New scheme aims to help children affected by their parent’s divorce 9:24am 24th January 2017 (Updated 9:25am 24th January 2017)…

Mediation first not last!

Mediation first not last! Whilst there is no doubt in my mind that everyone involved in the legal system, ranging from the government to solicitors, should put far more energy than they currently do into encouraging people to mediate rather than litigate when they go through divorce, I have been mediating for long enough to realise that this…

What on earth is a MIAM?

Ever since Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs) were introduced in April 2011, there has been a lot of confusion about what they are and when they need to be undertaken. This blog post aims to turn this confusion into clarity, whether you are a solicitor or other advisor who is referring a client to…

Mediation blog: “Say yes to mediation”

Welcome to the “Say yes to mediation” blog, which has been inspired by my experience as a mediator that far too few separating and divorcing couples are aware of the existence of mediation, let alone the many benefits that it can offer. Over the course of the next few months, I will be writing regular…

Couples in Crisis Workshop – Wednesday 28th January 2015

The Eaves – Counselling and Psychological Services and Godalming Family Mediation Services have joined together to present four short workshops aimed at helping couples in crisis from both an emotional and practical perspective. The four ‘taster’ sessions are 30 minutes and run between 4pm and 7pm on Wednesday 28th January 2015.  Whether you are a professional who is looking…

Eagle Radio News 29.11.14

For anyone who missed the Eagle Radio News story on 29th November 2014 talking about the rise in the use of mediation as part of the National Family Dispute Resolution Week then please click the following link for the podcast including the quote from Euan Davidson, head of mediation at Godalming Family Mediation:

Choosing a Family Mediator

By Euan Davidson 4th July 2014 Choosing a Family Mediator Deciding to mediate can be the best decision that a separating or divorcing couple can make but, in order to maximise the chances that there will be a positive outcome to this decision, it is vitally important that both parties think very carefully about their choice…

Is Family Mediation a threat to Solicitors?

By Euan Davidson – please click for more information about the author euandavidson@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk 1st July 2014 Is Family Mediation a threat to Solicitors? As family mediation continues its journey towards becoming a mainstream way to resolve family issues, with the recent law changes that make it compulsory to consider mediation before court action clearly speeding up…

The Rise of Family Mediation

By Euan Davidson euandavidson@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk 20th May 2014 The Rise of Family Mediation As a mediator, I am finding that more and more people are making enquiries along the lines of “My husband/wife and I have recently separated and we both want to find the most amicable way through the divorce process” and realising that it would…

Divorcing couples in Surrey must try family mediation

Well done to Essential Surrey for covering this really important family mediation story. Should save lots of people an awful lot of time, money and stress during divorce https://www.essentialsurrey.co.uk/kids-schools/divorcing-couples-in-surrey-must-try-mediation/ Divorcing couples in Surrey must try mediation 6 May 2014 Divorcing couples in Surrey ‘must’ try mediation New law means divorcing couples in Surrey must now…

Can I use family mediation?

1st May 2014 Euan Davidson Godalming Family mediation Well done to The Guide magazine in Haslemere and The Pepperpot magazine in Godalming for running the story about the mediation law changes. This should really help a lot more people in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire to consider mediation when they are going through a divorce or…

Mediation law changes

Well done to TheGuide2Surrey for reporting on the changes to the mediation rules this week! New Law Requires Divorcing Couples to Try Mediation Rich Lee 23/04/2014Staff Writer This week a new law was passed that requires divorcing couples to formally consider mediation before going to court… Surrey has one of the highest divorce rates in the…

Family mediation changes in Surrey Advertiser 25th April 2014

It is really encouraging to see the mediation coverage on Page 2 of the Surrey Advertiser today.

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Divorce: beware the quick fix

By Euan Davidson euandavidson@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk 19th March 2014 Divorce: beware the quick fix! Over the past few years, there has been a sharp increase in services offering fixed fee packages for divorce, including some that include mediation and the preparation of a legally binding agreement in relation to the finances. These can seem very attractive as…

Divorce and mediation packages

By Euan Davidson euandavidson@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk 9th March 2014 I am always more than a little wary about writing posts that might appear to be an attempt to undermine new and exciting developments in the mediation  world in order to preserve the status quo. However, I am even more aware of the need to provide a high…

Pre-nuptial Agreements

By Euan Davidson euandavidson@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk 27th February 2014 Today’s Law Commission report (see https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/app/uploads/2015/03/lc343_matrimonial_property.pdf) makes interesting reading for anyone involved in the family law arena as it finally opens up the possibility that pre-nuptial agreements (i.e. financial agreements drawn up before a marriage) might become legally binding if the Government accepts and implements the recommendations of…

Mediation and Impartiality

By Euan Davidson euandavidson@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk One of the most difficult aspects of being a mediator is trying to ensure that you not only remain impartial at all times but that you are seen to be acting impartiality by all the parties involved at all times. Understanding the difference between being impartial and being seem to be impartial…

Is family mediation expensive?

I am writing a new article to go in the family mediation section of Law Plain and Simple – http://www.lawplainandsimple.com/legal-guides/area/family-mediation – about whether or not family mediation is seen as expensive and it would be really interesting to hear your thoughts about: a) The lowest cost mediation service that I am aware of charges a standard…

Divorce and Family Mediation

Divorce and Family Mediation By Euan Davidson euandavidson@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk 12th February 2014 One of the biggest obstacles to starting mediation as part of a divorce or separation is the feeling, either directly from one of the parties themselves or following advice from a solicitor, that mediation is not suited to or necessary for a particular situation.…

Should family mediation be compulsory?

  Should family mediation be compulsory? By Euan Davidson euan@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk 28th January 2014 Please see the Law Plain and Simple website or read the article itself below about whether family mediation should be compulsory before taking legal action. http://www.lawplainandsimple.com/legal-guides/article/should-family-mediation-be-compulsory On 6th April 2011 new rules were introduced by the Government that were meant to ensure that…

Fight, flight or mediate?

Fight, flight or mediate? By Euan Davidson euandavidson@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk When I look back at all the people who have entered the mediation process with me over the years, I can see that the primary responses to a breakdown in a relationship tend to be in line with the stereotypical fight or flight responses, with most people…

How to find a good family mediator

How to find a good family mediator By Euan Davidson euandavidson@godalmingfamilymediation.co.uk In most cases, making the decision to seek the assistance of a family mediator will prove to be one of the best decisions that a separating or divorcing couple can make. However, in order to maximise the chances that there will be a positive…