The presence of domestic abuse does not in itself mean that mediation cannot work. In some cases it may make mediation unsuitable, but in others it may still be possible. For these, to ensure your safety, we offer separate waiting areas and separate arrival and departure times. We might also advise shuttle mediation where you would both be in separate rooms throughout the mediation. With the consent of your mediator and the other party to the mediation, you might also be able to bring someone with you to the mediation session as a support. For some people, having all of these safeguards in place might seem to be a better prospect than the alternative of having to face each other in court and give evidence.
In cases where there are injunctions or bail conditions, your mediator will ask to see the terms of the injunction to ensure that no-one is put in breach by coming to mediation with the other party. Where necessary we might ask you to request a variation of those terms to enable mediation if this is not already provided for.
