In family law mediation, separating spouses work with a trained, neutral third party known as
a mediator to reach an agreement on some or all of their family law issues. The mediator’s role is to listen to both sides of the story and, without bias, help the two of you discern your true interests, communicate with each other and creatively agree on a solution that will allow you to move forward. We work with several qualified, skilled mediators, and are able to recommend the right individual to work with you. One of Connect’s lawyers can be present with you, advising you throughout the mediation process.

Two of our family lawyers, Rebecca Stanley and Amalia Schön, are also certified family mediators.  To learn more about retaining Rebecca or Amalia as a mediator, click here.

Mediation offers many of the same advantages as collaborative family law: it is cheaper, less antagonistic, less formal, and more efficient than going to court. As well, it is a private process, unlike litigation which is public. It is voluntary and provides you and your separating spouse with the space to work together on creative solutions that might not even be possible in court. An additional advantage over a collaborative approach is that there is a third party with expertise in both family law and mediation whose job it is to keep the process on track and moving forward.

Mediation will be appropriate for many of the same people who are considering a collaborative law
or negotiated approach.  A history of family violence is not necessarily a bar to mediation if the proper safety precautions are taken; in appropriate circumstances, mediation can occur by the mediator
"shuttling" between rooms.