family MEDIATION IN wilkshire and LEGAL AID

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Mediation in Wiltshire: Civil and Family Dispute Resolution

Wiltshire, encompassing major towns like Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham, and Swindon, offers comprehensive Family and Civil (including Commercial and Workplace) mediation services as a private, confidential, and highly effective alternative to court litigation.

When relationships break down, Family Mediation provides a safe, structured environment for couples to resolve disputes about children, money, and property without going to court.

In Wiltshire, as elsewhere in England and Wales, the law requires separating parties to consider mediation before making certain court applications.

• Mandatory First Step: You must attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) with a Family Mediation Council (FMC) accredited mediator before applying to the Family Court for Child Arrangements or Financial Orders (unless an exemption applies).
• What is a MIAM? This is a private meeting where the mediator explains the mediation process, assesses its suitability for your specific circumstances (including any domestic abuse concerns), and discusses other options for resolving your dispute.
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Family mediators help you and your former partner create practical, realistic, and fair arrangements for the future:

• Child Arrangements: Deciding where children will live, when they spend time with each parent (contact/visitation), and key decisions about their education or health.
• Financial & Property Settlement: Negotiating the division of assets, including the family home, savings, investments, and pensions.
• Legal Aid and Funding: Many Wiltshire mediation services hold a contract with the Legal Aid Agency, meaning you may be eligible for free mediation if you meet the financial criteria. The £500 government voucher scheme for child arrangement disputes is also available through accredited providers.

Civil Mediation, which includes commercial, property, and workplace disputes, offers individuals and businesses in Wiltshire a much quicker and cheaper way to settle disagreements than going through the County Court.

Civil mediation is incredibly versatile and can resolve a wide variety of disputes, including:

Type of DisputeExamplesCommercialContractual breaches, debt recovery, small business partnership disputes, or disputes with suppliers/customers.Property/LandBoundary disagreements, rights of way issues, landlord/tenant disputes, and inheritance/probate claims (e.g., Contentious Probate or TOLATA claims).WorkplaceConflict between colleagues or between an employee and a manager, disciplinary fallout, and harassment claims.Other CivilClaims of professional negligence, or disputes involving charities and trusts.

• Speed: Most civil mediations are completed in one day, leading to a settlement in hours or weeks, compared to court battles that can take a year or more.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Even paying for a full day of mediation (fees are often split between the parties) is a fraction of the legal costs associated with litigation.
• Control: The mediator facilitates the conversation, but you and the other party remain in full control of the outcome, crafting a tailored, binding settlement agreement.
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To ensure quality and compliance with legal standards, always use accredited services:

• For Family Disputes: Search for mediators accredited by the Family Mediation Council (FMC), which ensures they are qualified to conduct MIAMs and meet professional standards.
• For Civil Disputes: Look for mediators accredited by the Civil Mediation Council (CMC).

Areas covered

Bradford-on-Avon Calne Chippenham Coombe Bissett Cricklade Malmesbury Marlborough Melksham Royal Wootton Bassett Salisbury Swindon Warminster Warminster Common Westbury    

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