Assisted parents who had been embroiled in long term litigation, over a number of years, reach agreement on the arrangements for their children. The couple also needed help agreeing issues which were very important for them but which a court would struggle with making decisions on, such as which type of orthodontic treatment their daughter should receive, regular travel arrangements for teenagers to the parties second home, considering the options of one of their children being educated abroad and arrangements for exeat weekends. We also agreed a variation on the existing arrangements, which now suited the children given that they were a bit older. The parents decided not to actively engage the children in the mediation process as they were conscious that they have been exposed to long term litigation. They needed a forum to reach agreement without the soaring costs of litigation and over a shorter period of time, and in the knowledge that the issues were extensive but nuanced and intricate. The clients appreciated the ability to look at each of the issues in detail during the sessions; obtaining informal but informed information and advice from the medical professionals involved and from the different schools the parties were considering. The informal requests for information on a joint basis meant the schools and orthodontist were much more receptive and open to discussion and providing information. The clients benefited from the consistency of one fully engaged professional, our insights and suggestions having become very familiar with the issues at hand.  

We assisted clients where one had obtained an emergency injunction against the other as a result of an isolated event and who both were committed to engaging in mediation. The parties had both discussed this option with their legal teams who agreed mediation would be suitable. We carried out extensive risk assessments and put protective measures in place, including shuttle mediation and our insistence that their respective solicitors ought to be available at the early sessions and then present at the final session. The parties managed to avoid extensive and protracted litigation, worked together to regain some of the trust that had been lost with one client agreeing to attend an anger management course, which he was fully engaged in helping choose and select, which meant he was much more receptive and responsive.