Sam Miles receives recognition for excellence as a Mediator

Sam Miles, Partner and Solicitor in leading law firm Warner Goodman LLP receives recognition for excellence as a Mediator by securing Law Society Accreditation. Legal Practitioners can earn special recognition for their expertise in particular areas of law by achieving membership of one of the Law Society’s accreditation schemes. The schemes exist in order to promote high standards in service provision, to ensure consumers are able to easily identify practitioners with a proven competency and to make informed choices, and to ensure that scheme members maintain relevant standards of competency and expertise.

Having spent the last two years working as a family mediator alongside her busy legal practice, Sam Miles has now successfully secured membership of the Law Society’s mediation accreditation scheme which means that she is now recognised for her skills as an all issues family mediator. Mediation is a form of alternate dispute resolution which allows separating couples the opportunity to sit down together in a calm and neutral environment and, with the assistance of a trained mediator, to discuss the issues arising from their separation. These can include children matters, financial issues or indeed the mechanics of the separation itself. Mediation is not a form of marriage or relationship counselling. Its aim is to assist a couple who have made the decision to go their separate ways to discuss and agree arrangements for their children or finances. Although not an easy option, Mediation offers a quicker and often cheaper alternative to the traditional route of litigation through Court.

Under section 10(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014, it is now a requirement for a person to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before making certain kinds of applications to obtain a court order. Her accreditation means that Sam is authorised to carry out MIAMs and to sign the necessary Court papers should mediation not be suitable. Since 1st January 2015 only accredited mediators have had this authority. .

Sam Miles says: “Having practiced as a specialist family lawyer since 1999 I have seen the growth of mediation and other forms of alternate dispute resolution over the years. Mediation is something I wholeheartedly believe in and have seen first hand the power of this process as a way for a separating couple to reach a speedy conclusion to what could otherwise have been a long and painful process. Mediation has an in-built side effect which is to promote cooperation, compromise and open lines of communication. Contested litigation often has the opposite effect and this can be very damaging for the family concerned and in particular for any children. Although mediation isn’t for everybody, for those who are willing to try and to commit to the process it can work wonders. I am thrilled to have secured my panel accreditation and look forward to continuing with my mediation practice and to helping couples to get through a really tough time in their lives  and hopefully move on to happier futures.”

If you’re looking for advice on mediation you can contact Sam or the family team on 02380 717431 or click on their section of the website here.

ENDS

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