Family and Workplace Mediation in Somerset

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Mediation offers a constructive and cost-effective pathway to resolving disputes in Somerset, covering sensitive family matters and complex issues arising in the workplace. It is a voluntary, confidential process where a neutral, trained mediator facilitates communication to help parties reach their own agreed-upon solutions, avoiding the stress and expense of court or tribunal proceedings.

Across towns in Somerset like Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater, and Frome, family mediation services assist separating or divorcing couples, as well as wider family members, in making practical arrangements for their future.

• Arrangements for Children: Creating sustainable parenting plans, deciding on where children will live, and agreeing on contact schedules, holidays, and key decisions (often referred to as Child Arrangements).
• Financial and Property Matters: Discussing the fair division of assets, including the family home, pensions, savings, debts, and addressing maintenance payments.
• Post-Divorce Issues: Mediating issues that arise years after separation, such as changing child arrangements or varying financial orders.

1. Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM): This is the required first step before making a court application for most private law child or financial orders. It’s an individual meeting to assess the suitability of mediation and explore other options.
2. Joint Sessions: Parties meet with the mediator to negotiate. The mediator guides the discussion, manages conflict, and helps explore realistic options, but does not provide legal advice or make decisions.
3. Documentation: If an agreement is reached, the mediator can prepare documents like a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and an Open Financial Statement (OFS). These are taken to solicitors to be converted into a legally binding Consent Order for court approval.
4. Funding: Amity Somerset mediation services are able to offer Legal Aid for eligible individuals, covering the costs of the MIAM and subsequent mediation. The Government's Mediation Voucher Scheme (up to £500) is also  available to help with the costs of cases involving child arrangements.
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Workplace mediation provides a powerful tool for businesses, charities, and public sector organisations across Somerset to address internal conflict quickly and confidentially, often preventing formal grievances, disciplinary action, and costly Employment Tribunal claims.

This type of mediation is typically used to resolve:

• Interpersonal Conflict: Disputes between two colleagues, between an employee and their manager, or within a team (team mediation).
• Grievances and Disciplinaries: As an alternative or supplement to formal internal processes, particularly where the core issue is a breakdown in the working relationship.
• Bullying and Harassment: Where a resolution that restores professional working ties is desired by all parties.
• Return to Work: Facilitating a smooth transition for employees returning after long-term absence due to conflict-related stress.

• Employee Retention: Resolves issues before key staff resign due to unmanaged stress or conflict.
• Reduced Costs: Significantly less expensive than litigation, internal investigations, or the cost of staff turnover and recruitment.
• Improved Productivity: Addressing conflict quickly removes a major source of distraction and stress, improving morale and team performance.
• Preserved Relationships: The focus is on rebuilding a workable, professional relationship for the future, rather than assigning blame for past events.

When seeking a mediator in Somerset (e.g., in Bath, Taunton, Yeovil, or Bridgwater), it is important to check their accreditation:

• Family Mediators Amity Mediation are accredited by the Family Mediation Council (FMC).
• Workplace Mediators Amity Mediators are members of the Civil Mediation Council (CMC).

Amity Mediation  offer both family and civil/workplace services and are able to conduct sessions in-person across the county or conveniently online via video conferencing.

Area covered

Bridgwater Wincanton Yeovil Taunton Weston Super Mare Chard Frome Minehead Wells Bath and Bristol

Amity Somerset

Somerset is a large, historically significant county in the South West of England, famed for its varied landscape that includes the rolling Mendip and Quantock Hills, vast Somerset Levels, and dramatic coastline. While the official city of Bath stands out globally for its stunning Georgian architecture and Roman heritage, the county's administrative and commercial hub is the county town of Taunton, known for its historical association with the Duke of Monmouth and modern retail centre. Other significant towns include Yeovil, a centre for the aerospace and defence industries; the ancient market town of Bridgwater with its annual carnival; and Wells, which, despite its size, holds city status due to its magnificent cathedral. This collection of settlements, from the bustling modernity of the M5 corridor to the rural charm of Glastonbury and Frome, gives Somerset a distinctive character blending agricultural tradition with significant historical and industrial innovation. 

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