Mediation Team
1 Garden Court Mediation ("1GCM")
1 Garden Court was the first set of barristers' chambers to create a family mediation service. In 1998, it became the first chambers to secure a contract with the government's family mediation pilot project. 1GCM offers mediation by trained mediators, who are also barristers of long standing and, in some cases, part time judges.
What is Family Mediation?
Family mediation offers people the opportunity to resolve issues that may arise between them in any and all matters that cause conflict within families. Mediation can help with decisions that have to be made during the subsistence of a marriage or cohabitation or with those that arise following separation or divorce. Family conflict may also concern the education or upbringing of children or family businesses or trusts. Whatever the issue might be, whoever may be involved in the dispute, mediation can help.It offers clients the chance to arrive at their own considered agreement in a co-operative and impartial setting.
What does the process involve?
Each case is unique and an assessment will be made at an initial meeting as to how best to proceed. A 1GCM mediator will usually see clients over a number of sessions and help them through the process of identifying issues, examining future goals, gathering and organising the information necessary to make informed decisions, considering all the options and negotiating agreement.
What are the advantages?
The advantages of mediation are:
- A co-operative and impartial setting for the resolution of disputes
- Greater control - with skilled help in a voluntary process, the clients negotiate their own agreements
- A cheaper alternative to litigation
- Lasting agreement - the process of mediation leads to enduring arrangements based on mutual benefit and an improved discussion of issues that may arise in the future
For further information, please contact 1GCM on its dedicated line 020 7797 6000 : We offer a free half hour's consultation for you to decide if mediation would suit you.