FAMILY
MEDIATION
If you are facing separation or divorce, or need to change existing agreements, family mediation can help you sort arrangements for children, property, finance and other important matters:
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It is much quicker, less stressful and usually cheaper than heading straight to court
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It enables you to shape long-term solutions that are in your family’s best interests
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It allows families to keep control of their own decisions
Due to recent changes in the law, family mediation is becoming the preferred method to resolve and prevent family disputes, especially where children are involved. Agreements that have been freely negotiated can help restore communication, understanding and trust.
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Family Mediation helps you resolve conflict and reach agreement on all issues surrounding separation, divorce or common-law.
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It is a voluntary and confidential process which helps you reach joint decisions without the use of courts.
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It offers you a safe, neutral place where you and your ex-partner can meet with an impartial mediator to work out plans for the future.
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Mediators do not tell you what to do but help you look at different options for sorting things out, so that you reach your own agreements about all aspects, including arrangements for children, finances and property.
What if my ex doesn't seem interested in MEDIATION ?
It’s difficult in the heat of a conflict for both people to think about trying to negotiate together to get things sorted. It can seem far simpler to try to trigger a legal battle that is ultimately actually going to be far more expensive, more stressful and take much, much longer! But mediation can only work when both people agree to attend. If your ex won’t initially agree to mediate you can try suggesting they contact us directly and ask their own questions about the process.
Most people are naturally quite anxious before they start mediation, but the huge majority of those who do go ahead and try it are greatly relieved … and surprised at the way they were able to finally make agreements on things that had previously felt it would be impossible to sort.
WHO CAN USE
MEDIATION ?
Mediation is open to anyone affected by family breakdown including separation, divorce and common-law.
Family mediation is used by parents or couples who are experiencing difficulties agreeing to minor things or everything, regardless of age, race, nationality, sexual identity, disability, faith or other such factors.
WILL
Even when a Will exists, it is sometimes difficult to understand a loved one’s intentions with respect to finances or property upon his/her death. Family Estate Mediation is a process where parties in an estate dispute sit with a neutral third party who assists them in exploring issues and discussing solutions in a cost effective manner.
The hidden benefit to this process is that it can help preserve important relationships while honoring the memory of a loved one.
CIVIL
MEDIATION
The Mediation Center wants to provide the community with an alternative forum in which to resolve civil disputes. Through the process of third-party facilitated negotiation, disputants are empowered to reach mutually beneficial agreements without expending the significant time and costs often associated with civil litigation. The Center hopes to dramatically increase the public’s access to an improved quality of justice, while at the same time conserving community resources and reducing delays in the disposition of court cases.
The civil mediation process is designed to give parties an opportunity to explore settlement options before they invest large amounts of money and other resources into litigation. Some examples of civil disputes are real estate, construction, contracts and landlord.
BUSINESS
MEDIATION
REAL ESTATE
Time is often of the essence in the sale of real property, whether it is commercial or residential. Vendors may have commitments to purchase other property dependent on financing from the purchaser. Opportunities to relist or resell the property may have evaporated.
Purchasers may have vacated other property and be in mid-move into the new premises. This can all lead to significant costs, not to mention anger and frustration.
We provide real-time dispute resolution on real estate transactions to allow the parties to reach interim and permanent solutions.
In Real estate mediation the benefits are boundless for both the buyer and seller. This mediation allows both parties to sit with a neutral facilitator to seek solutions. Where negotiation of terms could take days, parties can quickly explore mutual interests and find possible win-win solutions.
CONSTRUCTION
Time is always of the essence on a construction project. Yet, there are many occurrences during the course of a project that can interfere with the completion of the work:
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Changes in project design or work to be completed
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Shortage of skilled and unskilled labour
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Disputes over quality of work performed
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Material defects and breaks in supply lines
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Safety and insurance deficiencies
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Labor relations issues
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Disputes over costs, invoices and payment of contract fees
We provide dispute resolution to assist the construction parties to put in place acceptable interim and permanent solutions to allow for the completion of a construction project on time.
Whether a construction project is big or small, conflicts on the job site can be expensive and can cause great emotional anguish. Court cases can be costly and can go on for a long time. Relationships can be damaged and partnerships can be affected all causing disruptions to productivity and profits.
Mediation can help parties avert hostility on the job site by addressing issues as they arise between workers, supervisors, suppliers etc. When issues arise, parties to a dispute can sit with a trained neutral party to help them air their concerns and find workable solutions. When conflicts get resolved, the job site works in better harmony and profitability is enhanced.
Agreements made in mediation carry the same weight as judgment made in court.
