Your Comments

Here is a selection of recent comments from our feedback questionnaires

“ It made an uncomfortable situation easier to deal with and resolved things we would not have been able to deal with between ourselves.”

“Knowledge combined with empathy, total fairness, instinctive recognition of and respect for boundaries.”

 “ I would like to express my immense gratitude for the help given and the transforming effect that the help has had on my relationship.  I could certainly not have imagined prior to mediation that we would be able to hold a constructive and civil conversation.  My daughter is of course the true beneficiary of all this.”

“Although it is a ‘legal environment’ the discussions were such that matters could be dealt with amicably and it was stressed that either one of us was able to leave at any point and hold discussions separately.”

“I found it a better approach rather than the partner receiving solicitor’s correspondence which they might misinterpret and become difficult.  It is also beneficial cost-wise as it is more encouraging to help couples sort things out without added pressures.”

'you have to approach mediation wanting to talk and compromise. I found face to face disucssion a lot less stressful than going through a Solicitor.  Unless mediaiton breaks down, it provides an 'end result'.  Also it must be much less expensive than usising a Solicitor to negociate' June 2008

' I would like again to take this opportunity to thank you all at mediation especially my mediator and in the nicest possible way I hope I never meet you again!  But if ever in the future I need you I will certainly be there'.  - November 2008

'The process went very smoothly and amicably and staff were helpful and professional at all times.  I found mediation extremely efficient and cost effective as opposed to dealing entirely with solictiors.  When it came to settling my final bill the centre was very flexible and I was able to spread the cost over two months'.  November 2008

'The best about mediation is talking to someone who does not Judge you but tries to resolve issues, that are sticking points, I can't praise it enought it ticks all the right boxes' November 2008

'my experience of mediation in June 2011 was very good.  I was informed about all matters along the way.  All aspects of the service were very good and all staff were professional and approachable.   In my circumstances mediation was well worth the cost; going to Court would have been very costly and probably not as time effective'.  June 2011

“All matters were dealt with in a very caring, calm and efficient way.”

“The whole experience was extremely helpful.  I’m sure that if we had used the mediation service earlier my solicitor’s fees would have been reduced by far more than the cost of mediation.”

“I found the service offered outstandingly supportive, friendly and kind.”

“The mediator was lovely and put me at ease quickly, whilst remaining professional throughout.”

“Mediation should, I believe, be mandatory for any couple contemplating divorce; very cost-effective I terms of reduction of cost of court proceedings.”

“The no-pressure, informal yet fair and accurate nature of the meetings made them extremely easy and constructive. I was able to talk openly without feeling I was being judged. There was always so much advice and encouragement available. Excellent.”

“I found that mediation was cost effective, professional and independent. Although there was a lot of disagreement in our case over a small amount of money, the mediation staff were always extremely helpful, supportive and informative.”

“Apart from the costs benefits, mediation helps people see each other still as people, not through isolating and hostile letters.”

'I wanted to thank you for all your professional skills and sensitive approach to the proceedings, both of which help to ease my uneasiness and pain surrounding the situation.  I found there to be a balance at all times between letting us have our say and express emotional issues, yet prevention from straying too far from relevance and point.  All instigated, I feel, by your excellent negotiating skills.'

'I have often thought  when I have sat in the session how exhausting it must be for the staff to see people at their worst or most vulnerable day in and out, to ee something which began with such hope and commitment reduced to 'figures' and 'entitlement'.  Should this ever be the case, rest assured that the service you provide takes a lot of stress out of an otherwise hideous situation and there are those of us who are most grateful for this.  Should anyone I know ever find themselves in the same unfortunate position as me, although I truly hope not, I would not hesitate to recommend they pursue mediation as their first point of action.'

'You made a difficult process much more comfortable'  August 2008

'During my 3 visits I was made to feel at ease, that I understood and advised how to look forward.  Life has definately become alot better for myself and my children because of mediation.  I hope I can continue your good work'.  September 2008

'The way The Mediation Centre approaches the problems and tries to find solutions were very good, I think this place really helped us to resolve and agree on some points, but you need to make yourselves more known by people so people can have more of a chance to solve their problems and save money and time as well'.  February 2009

'I think that mediation is far more valid as a process than slogging it out via Solicitors - me and my ex would have had a terrible relationship now if we'd have had to go through 3rd parties all the time.  Much better for the girls this way. '   October 2009

Considering the difficulty of dealing with a couple that are polarised the mediator lead us down the path to a resolution extremely quickly.  It is a very cost effective effective mechanism and I suspect that a Court case would have proved to be unncessarily expensive with a good chance of an unsatisfactory ruling being made too.

© The Mediation Centre 2006-8