- Confidential
- Impartial
- Local
- Cost Effect Services
- Fast appointments
- Experienced
- High Success Rate
Lakes Mediation. We mediate around child access and finances for couples following separation in The North West. Child arrangement mediation and MIAM appointments.
Call our team on 01539 644 002
Separating or divorcing is tough, and fighting it out in court is expensive and slow. Lakes Family Mediation in Southport offers a way to sort out arrangements for your kids, money, and property with the help of a neutral expert, without having a judge decide for you.
Mediation has several benefits, it is not as structured as family court and you get to decide on what decision are made, not a judge or a court.
Voluntary – You and your ex must both agree to try it. You can stop at any time.
Confidential – What you say in mediation stays in mediation. Nothing can be used against you in court later, except for financial documents.
Impartial – The mediator is neutral. They won’t take sides, give you legal advice, or tell you what to do. They are there to help you both talk and find a solution.
You Decide – The mediator helps you find an agreement, but you and your ex make the final decisions. Not a judge.
In short: It’s a structured conversation with a professional neutral family law expert who doesn’t take side but helps you find solutions through communication and problem solving.
Before you can ask the Family Court to help you with child or financial arrangements, you must speak to a mediator first. This meeting is called a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
What Happens at the MIAM? It’s 1-on-1: You meet the mediator by yourself (usually for about an hour). Your ex has their own separate MIAM later.
The Mediator will explain how mediation works and how much it costs. Check if you can get Legal Aid (which could make your mediation costs funded) and assess if mediation is safe and suitable for your situation (e.g., if there has been domestic abuse, mediation might not be safe, and you my be exempt).
If mediation is suitable, the mediator will contact your ex to invite them to their own MIAM. If mediation is not suitable or your ex refuses, the mediator will sign a court form (Form A, C100 or FM1) so you can apply to court.
In Southport Lakes Mediation works with a network of qualified, accredited mediators who operate across the U.K and towns and villages in and around Southport (like Birkdale, Ainsdale, Churchtown, Marshside and Blowick) who can conduct your MIAM quickly, often online or by phone.
Lakes Mediation offers a safe, neutral environment where parents can work together to create parenting plans tailored to children’s needs and, resolve financial disputes, including assets, savings, and pensions
Don’t let cost put you off starting mediation. You may find that you qualify for financial support.
Legal Aid – If you are on a low income or certain benefits (e.g., Universal Credit). If you qualify, all your mediation sessions are FREE.
£500 Mediation Voucher Scheme – A government fund (currently available) that provides up to £500 towards mediation costs for cases involving children’s arrangements. Your mediator will check if you qualify.
6If both of you agree to try mediation, you move on to joint sessions. These are usually 60-90 minutes long and often take place online (Zoom/video) or in a neutral location in and around Manchester and Southport.
The Agenda: You both agree on the list of things to sort out:
Children: Who lives where, when they see the other parent, holidays, new partners.
Money/Property: Who gets the house, splitting savings, pensions, debts, and maintenance payments.
Ground Rules: The mediator makes sure you both speak respectfully, listen, and focus on the future, not arguments about the past.
Shuttle Mediation: If you absolutely cannot be in the same room (even online), Amity Mediation Greater Manchester mediators offer Shuttle Mediation, where you sit in separate rooms and the mediator moves between you.
How Long Does It Take? Children-only issues usually take 2-3 sessions. Money and property issues can usually take 3-5 sessions. This is much faster than going through the Family Court, which can take a year or more.
The town of Southport, a historic seaside resort and defined by Victorian heritage. Its most famous landmarks include the mile-long, tree-lined Lord Street, an elegant boulevard known for its distinctive architecture and independent shops, which is said to have inspired the avenues of Paris. Dominating the waterfront is the historic Southport Pier, the oldest iron pier and second-longest in the country, stretching out over the beach and the vast Marine Lake.
The surrounding areas, such as Birkdale (famous for the Royal Birkdale Golf Club) and the village of Churchtown (home to the charming Botanic Gardens), provide variety, while the Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve highlights the town’s unique geographical position on the Sefton Coast.
We offer mediation hubs around the North West. Family Mediation, Legal Aid Mediation.
Strictly by Appointment Only. Location is not staffed.
Mediation and urgent MIAM appointments can be arranged online
Our Southport Hub – Find us at;
Norwood Road Southport PR8 6HQ
Call our team to book your mediation on 01539 644 002.
Copyright 2024/25 - lakesmediation.co.uk