
Cost – mediation is far cheaper than instructing solicitors within the court process. You are likely, however, to still incur some legal fees as we would always advise you to seek independent legal advice on your proposed agreement and if this results in a financial agreement on divorce, a court order will need to be prepared by your solicitor.
Timing – you can arrange mediation sessions at your mutual convenience. There can be long stretches of time between court hearings.
Commitment – there is nothing forcing you to choose mediation so if people do agree to mediate it generally means that they are invested in the process and have the confidence to make it work.
Control – no decision is going to be forced upon you by a mediator as it would be by a judge.
Confidentiality – discussions in mediation are 'without prejudice' if you explore an option in mediation it cannot be ‘used against you’ in court.
Impartiality – although the mediator is deeply invested in helping you to reach an agreement, the mediator will not take sides but will challenge you based on their experience of what the realistic outcomes
Child-focused – If your disagreement regards your children, or is escalating in a way that may impact on them, the good news is that in mediation children come first.