Online Family Mediation

Offices in Leeds, Harrogate and London. Working with clients across the UK and overseas.

At Consilia Mediation we are able to offer our clients a fully comprehensive mediation service including online mediation.

Online mediation has become more prevalent in the mediation arena following the Coronavirus crisis in a time where face to face sessions are not possible. However online sessions are something which we have previously offered to clients where for example the parties live far apart and/or where face to face mediation is not suitable. Online mediation also enables us to offer our services throughout the UK including London based clients and not just client’s in the local Yorkshire area.

how does online Mediation work?

Before mediation can begin, it is necessary in every case for each party to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, more commonly known as a MIAM. At this initial session, the mediator provides information on how mediation can assist, and each party has the opportunity to speak to the mediator alone and explain their current situation. At the end of the session, the mediator will assess whether they think mediation is a suitable means to resolve the dispute and each party will decide whether they would be willing to attend a joint session. If the answer from both the mediator and the parties is ‘yes’ then the mediator will make arrangements for a joint session between the parties and the mediator.

Where a mediation is to take place online, we offer a range of options for our clients when it comes to video call applications.

Where an individual has a smartphone or tablet device, video calls can take place by downloading a quick app or alternatively the video call can take place using a more traditional computer or laptop.

Video calls can take place by the following methods:

• Zoom;
• Skype;
• Microsoft teams;
• Facebook messenger;
• Facetime;

As long as a client has access to one of the above programs, we can facilitate an online mediation.

We will often suggest Zoom to our clients as this allows video conferencing with multiple people and it enables parties to share documents and screen sharing etc.

how to set up zoom?
If you would like to make an appointment through Zoom the mediator will email you an appointment slot and you will be sent a link. You can click on the link when the meeting is due to take place and you will be joined into the meeting. It is not necessary to download the app initially but it is advisable to familiarise yourself with the program.

Once both parties and the mediator have joined the meeting, the three of you will be able to see and hear each other from your device.

financial Mediation
For financial mediation sessions, the parties will each submit their financial disclosure via email or through Zoom where appropriate and this will be shared with the other party. The mediator will discuss in the individual MIAM appointment the process of financial disclosure. It is most likely that the mediator will carry out some work to prepare documents such as an asset schedule before the joint session takes place in order to allow the session to be as productive as possible.

Online Shuttle Mediations
Some parties prefer not to have any face to face contact with their ex-partner during mediation and wish for mediation to take place on a shuttle basis. Traditionally, this is where the mediator goes back and forth between the parties in separate rooms. Shuttle mediations can also be offered online and the mediator will go back and forth via video call to each party.

Frequently Asked Questions