Remote Mediation Becoming The ‘New Normal’ During Covid

Whilst there might be many different features of our lives that are affected by COVID and the lockdowns, and other restrictions that have followed, one constant is that sometimes relationships don’t work out.

If you find yourself in the situation of a family breakdown during COVID, don’t despair, it is still possible to work things out. The best advice is still to get specific advice about your situation early on from a qualified and experienced Family Lawyer. (Ian Field from our office is an Accredited Specialist in family law with more than 20 years of experience between Australia and the UK. Someone like Ian would be a good choice).

It is almost always better to try and resolve your situation by negotiation and discussion and agreement rather than through the Court. The Family Law team at Aylward Game Solicitors are ideally placed to help you through the process, however, it plays out.

Mediation is still perfectly possible to undertake during a COVID lockdown, and with the delays that the Courts are experiencing, which COVID has made worse, now more than ever mediation is worth giving serious consideration. With the experience of assisting clients through hundreds of mediations before, we can offer the following top tips to make sure that your remote mediation during COVID has the best chance of success.

• Preparation, as ever, is vital. Make sure you and your lawyer are thoroughly prepared for the mediation. We have done this before, and we can make sure you are ready.
• Select a mediator with the right experience in the issues you need assistance to resolve. We can help you identify the right mediator for your situation.
• Make sure that your solicitor (and the mediator) have the right technology available to ensure that the mediation has the best chance to succeed. We have video links, audio links, we can use all the programs required, (TEAMS, Zoom, WebX, etc) we can share the screen, we send and receive the documents that will inevitably need to be sent, and received. We take care of that so you can focus on the issues.
• Discuss the process in detail beforehand with your solicitor – we help you to understand what to expect, so you can be well prepared. These are the legal issues and also the practical arrangements. We can make adjustments to ensure you are as comfortable as possible.
• Bring an open mind to the process. A successful remote mediation usually involves some compromise and an eye on the big picture. We can help you see that canvas and appreciate where to stick and where to twist.

For Family Law advice, during (and after) COVID, seeking negotiated, mediated outcomes, or through the Courts if needed, call Aylward Game Solicitors and get the right advice.

Why Mediation Is a Far Better Option Than Going To Court