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“On average, more than 50 legal practices refer over 1000 mediation matters to us a year.”
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Referral Information for Solicitors
Having practised as solicitors ourselves, we appreciate how busy solicitors are. Our aim is to reduce the burden on you, rather than add to it. Please feel free to make a referral in whatever format is easiest for you – that may be by telephone, email, referral form or letter. If you do not have one of our referral forms and want to use this method, download the latest MIAMs friendly version below. You can even fill it online and email it back to us.
Once we receive a referral, we will do the rest. We can almost always offer an initial assessment meeting within 5-10 working days so that you and your client know quickly whether mediation is going to be a way forward or whether matters are going to have to be dealt with through solicitors and if necessary the court process.
MIAMs and the Pre Action Protocol
In our experience, it is always preferable if individuals interested in mediation come to discuss their options and the suitability of mediation with us at the earliest opportunity. This means they are more likely to start on the right track and avoid subsequent delay. Because we would like your clients to come and talk to us as soon as possible about mediation, we do not charge for this sort of exploratory meeting. The only assessment meetings that we charge for are Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs)- i.e. where your client has chosen not to find out about mediation until under an obligation to do so - and only in circumstances where neither your client nor your client's partner (if seen) are eligible for public funding. Please see our fees section for more information
Keeping You Informed
If mediation starts, we also recognise how important it is for you to be kept informed about what is going on. We will therefore keep you aware of what stage mediation has reached and, with your client’s consent, send you copies of any Financial Statements, Mediation Summaries or Memoranda of Understanding that we prepare. Experience has shown again and again that mediation works best when mediators and solicitors work alongside each other in the client’s best interests.
The Cost of Mediation
Although we will give your client an accurate estimate when they attend the assessment meeting, we have set out in our Fees section typical approximate ranges for different types of mediation so that you can give your client some idea of the likely cost.
Referral Forms
General Referral Form (Microsoft Word Template)
General Referral Form (PDF)
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Tel: 01392 678010 Fax: 01392 682775 Email: office@southwestmediation.co.uk
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