Lincolnshire Mediation

Independent mediators

LINCOLNSHIRE MEDIATION (LM)

LM is a registered independent charity - NOT affiliated to any firm of solicitors and NOT accountable to shareholders. LM is a not-for-profit organisation - accountable to the Board of Trustees - originally set up to help couples, married or unmarried, to make decisions and settle disputes arising from the breakdown of their relationship. LM deal with Child-only cases (issues surrounding contact with the children), Property and Finance cases and All-issues cases (combining child contact and property and finance issues).

In recent times, LM has evolved to provide mediation to other areas of dispute including neighbourhood and community issues, family contact centre mediation, workplace mediation and homelessness issues under contract with local City Councils. We also work in partnership with the Lincolnshire Anti-Social Behaviour Team to provide mediation in situations where it may help to prevent the issue of anti-social behaviour orders. Workplace conflict is probably the most avoidable cost that organisations face and the most damaging in terms of poor practice, under performance and waste of valuable management time. Workplace mediation is particularly good at re-establishing respectful, professional working relations. Workplace Mediation is a structured process whereby an impartial mediator facilitates communication between those in dispute in order for them to come up with mutually agreed solutions on how to improve their working relationship in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a way of helping parties resolve disputes and disagreements through face to face meetings with a fully qualified person who is independent, will not take sides and is experienced in helping people resolve problems. Family Mediation is designed to help people to plan their own future. The neutral venue which is provided enables the clients to discuss important issues in a safe environment - one which is conducive to producing the desired results. The clients are given an equal opportunity to express their concerns without feeling forced or pressured into taking actions which they do not want to become engaged in.

By encouraging openness it allows each participant to communicate and discuss the problems that are most worrying to them. This is a key element in building up trust while identifying and understanding options for the future. Family Mediation does not seek to bring about a reconciliation between divorcing or separating couples but aims to help the participants to deal with the practical, emotional and financial problems arising with the minimum of stress or bad feeling.

How does it work?

Our administration staff will arrange separate initial meetings for both parties, at which you can find out more about mediation and talk about what you aim to get from the sessions in discussion with the mediator. You will also work with the mediator to produce an agenda for the joint meeting, where you can put across your thoughts and feelings and also what you would like the outcome of mediation to be. With this prepared, both parties can work towards finding a suitable solution to the issue.

The mediator will encourage free and plain speaking, and will make sure both parties have an equal say. At the end of the sessions your agreements will be recorded and a Memorandum of Understanding will be sent out to all concerned. This can be taken to legal representatives in order to become a legal document.

Does it work?

Mediation allows you to make the best decision for the future without winners and losers. It helps to reduce bitterness and can help to prevent unnecessary and expensive legal proceedings.

Who can be there?

We usually find that difficulties can be resolved best with just both parties. If you would like someone to accompany you to your appointment who is not involved in the issue, please mention this prior to your appointment.

Children and young people can be seen in mediation if it is thought appropriate by the mediator and parents.