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Hybrid mediation: legal advice in the room

Hybrid mediation lets you bring your solicitor into mediation sessions. Legal advice is available in real time, so you can make informed decisions on the spot instead of waiting between sessions. It works well for complex finances and where one or both of you want legal support throughout.

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People in a calm discussion around a table

Who hybrid mediation suits

  • Couples who want legal advice as they go, rather than between sessions
  • People who want to make decisions faster
  • Cases with complex financial arrangements needing solicitor input
  • Anyone who wants a collaborative, problem-solving approach with legal support

The advantages

  1. Immediate legal guidance from your own solicitor during the session.
  2. Faster decisions, without waiting to consult lawyers between sessions.
  3. Lower overall cost than negotiating through solicitors' letters.
  4. Flexible for financial and child-related matters.
  5. Less conflict, with lawyers working within a non-adversarial setting.

How it works

  1. Initial consultation. We check hybrid mediation is the right approach.
  2. Preparation and disclosure. Your solicitors help prepare financial information and documents.
  3. Sessions with solicitors. Structured discussions with both of you and your legal representatives.
  4. Memorandum of Understanding. We record what you agree.
  5. Consent order. With advice already given, the agreement can be quickly turned into a legally binding order.

Frequently asked questions

Do both of us need a solicitor?

Usually yes, so the process stays balanced and you both get advice in real time. We discuss the set-up with you both before sessions begin. If only one of you has a solicitor, we will talk through whether hybrid mediation is still suitable.

Is hybrid mediation more expensive?

Your solicitors charge for their time in sessions, so each session costs more. Overall, though, hybrid mediation often reduces total legal costs by cutting out lengthy letters and negotiation between solicitors, and by settling matters sooner.

Can hybrid mediation be used for child arrangements?

Yes, although it is most often used for financial matters, where legal advice on the options is important. It can also help with complex or high-conflict child arrangements, where having a solicitor present helps someone feel supported.

Related services

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Tell us a little about your situation and a mediator will call you back, usually the same working day.

  1. Send us a few details
  2. A mediator calls you back at a time that suits you
  3. No obligation, and nothing is shared with your ex-partner

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