Leeds Family Mediation
Helping you to find positive resolutions in times of conflict

Family mediation is a collaborative approach designed to help couples resolve disputes amicably without the need for contentious court proceedings
With offices based in Harrogate and Liversedge, we operate across Leeds as well as the wider North and West Yorkshire areas, delivering face to face mediation for families.
Whether you are seeking to resolve a child arrangement agreement or facing the complexities of financial division following separation, mediation offers a pathway that respects the interests and emotions of all involved.
For couples in Leeds, mediation represents a positive alternative to the adversarial court system.
At Smart Talking, we understand the unique challenges faced by couples during these difficult times. Our mediation services in Leeds are tailored to help you navigate the complexities of separation.
We aim to empower you to make informed decisions that benefit all parties involved, ultimately leading to enduring resolutions. Through mediation, we help you open the door to new beginnings and healthier relationships moving forward.
Family mediation is a more collaborative process where a neutral third party, the mediator, facilitates dialogue between the disputing parties to help them reach a mutually agreeable resolution. Mediation is much more flexible and informal compared to litigation, or court proceedings. Here are some benefits of choosing mediation:

Mediation encourages open communication and collaboration between couples, as opposed to litigation which can be adversarial and may strain relationships due to its confrontational nature.
Family mediation not only facilitates a more amicable settlement but also preserves the relationships between the parties involved. This is particularly important when children are involved, as ongoing interaction between parents is often necessary.

Generally, mediation is a much more cost-effective option compared with litigation. Often, it involves attending between two and three joint sessions, which last between 60-90 minutes each, usually 2-4 weeks apart.
Compare this with lengthy and expensive court proceedings. Litigation can often take several months to years to conclude, depending on a case and the court’s schedule. With this, there will be legal fees, court costs and other related expenses.
Family mediation with Smart Talking involves fixed fees, so you know exactly all costs involved.

The less confrontational nature of mediation can result in lower levels of stress and anxiety for parties and couples involved. Not only that, but mediation sessions are private and confidential.
The formal and adversarial nature of litigation can be stressful and emotionally taxing. It is a public process with court proceedings and documents accessible to the public, which may not be desirable for personal or sensitive matters.
After enquiring with Smart Talking, we invite you to our offices in Liversedge or Harrogate for a Mediation Information and Assessment Appointment – or MIAMS. This is your first step in your mediation journey and you get to meet with one of our trained family mediators here at Smart Talking. During your MIAMS, you can discuss your situation, any concerns you have, and what your hopes are for reaching an amicable solution. We will explain to you exactly what the mediation process involves. It is a completely confidential process.MEET OUR TEAM
After your MIAMS appointment, joint sessions begin. These are the core of the mediation process, where both parties come together in a neutral setting to discuss and negotiate various issues. During these sessions, our mediator facilitates discussion, helps clarify points of contention, and assists in exploring potential solutions. At no point do we ever make decisions on your behalf.
This is the end of your family mediation sessions and is where we formalise your agreements you have reached within your mediation sessions. We will prepare the documentation you can use to legalise your agreement. If you or our mediator feel the process isn’t right for your situation, then our accredited mediator can sign the necessary Court form to evidence that you have complied with the pre-Court assessment stage. By law you cannot (apart from exceptional circumstances) issue an application to Court for any private children legal issue or an application to Court for financial remedy unless you have attended a MIAMS appointment.
Family mediation is the first step to take in resolving issues following separation. It is a confidential process where an impartial mediator, such as Smart Talking, facilitates discussions between family members to resolve disputes related to separation.
GO TO FAMILY MEDIATIONOur child mediation services at Smart Talking are designed to help parents develop a child-focused plan that prioritises the welfare of their children.
Making arrangements for your children is one of the most challenging aspects of a family breakdown. Our child mediation sessions often take place over two or more sessions, and help couples to trial different forms of communication and ways of working together during the mediation process.
Any financial arrangement must be fair for both parties involved, and we will work with you with our financial mediation to help you achieve this.
Our financial mediation sessions assist couples in reaching fair and sustainable agreements about financial matters, including the division of assets, child maintenance and spousal support.
Child inclusive mediation involves mediation sessions where your child/children are actively involved in the decision process, giving them a voice and an opportunity to share their worries and concerns.
Our specially trained and accredited family mediators will help you and your child/children work through the mediation process, making sure the child’s opinions are heard.
Smart Talking are specialists in helping guide families through challenges and conflict, finding a suitable resolution for parties for child arrangements and financial disputes. Contact us today to learn more about our family mediation services and start your journey towards a harmonious resolution.