Clive Barker

Direct Dial: 01252 550433

Jon Beck

Direct Dial: 01252 550441

Mediation

If a couple – whether married or unmarried – is unable to agree a financial settlement or child arrangement through negotiation, the traditional route leads to a day (or more) in the local Family Court, where a single Judge will make a binding decision. 

This is a far from perfect process. In recent years the Court system has suffered repeated cuts to its funding.  Court closures and staff reductions have led to serious delays and significant work overload for the Judges.

The Court process also carries with it 'litigation risk', under which the Court's decision will often depend on the inclination of a particular judge, making the outcome more uncertain.

You – like all litigants – will want the the Court to deal with your case as quickly and fairly as possible. 

We believe that mediation provides most Clients with a better and substantially cheaper solution.

What is Mediation?

There are two types of mediation applicable to Family Law.

1. Traditional family mediation. This system is controlled by the Family Mediation Council and follows a set procedure.

The system was introduced by successive Governments to encourage parties to settle their disputes.  Under this system parties are required to attend an initial mediation information session (called a MIAM).  Participation in further, sequential, mediation sessions is optional.

In our view this traditional process rarely leads to settlement:   the MIAM session can simply be treated as a minor hurdle, and added cost, on the road to Court. 

2. At Woodford Stauffer we are pioneering a different mediation process, bringing together our experience of family and civil mediation. 

A half day or a full day is set aside for the mediation.  Both parties agree on an independent Mediator (always a qualified and experienced Family Lawyer).

Each party attends the chosen mediation venue with his or her legal representatives where they will each be provided with a private room.

The parties need not meet at all unless they wish to.  The Mediator will shuttle between each party, discussing the issues, providing comment and suggestion and narrowing the differences in an effort to reach agreement.

The whole process is without prejudice, and off the record.   If settlement is not achieved, nothing said or written during the mediation can ever be referred to again.

If the parties do agree a settlement, the legal representatives can draw up a legally binding agreement which both parties will sign before leaving the building.  That agreement will then be ratified by the Court, bringing the whole legal process to an end. 

If mediation succeeds it can halve the overall cost of a divorce.  If it fails it is likely that it will still have been a cost effective procedure overall since the process will, almost inevitably, reduce the work to be done in preparing for trial.

We will not suggest mediation where we think it is likely to fail.  But, where appropriate, we will always advocate mediation since, if it succeeds, the savings on costs and emotional distress are so great.

Such is our belief in mediation that (as well as our own in-house Mediators), we have a dedicated mediation suite at our office so that our Clients are able to attend mediation “on their own patch” in comfortable and reassuring surroundings.  

 

We promise that we will

  1. Listen to you
  2. Communicate with you
  3. Advise you and, above all
  4. Fight for you

It may be hard now – but we will see you through to the light at the end of the tunnel.

Contact us by phone or email whenever you are ready.

Both Jon Beck and Georgina Short provided excellent service.

Case Ref. RES49206

Katie Wouldham was very helpful and professional. Emma Fairbairn in conveyancing also very good. I have recommended Katie to 2 other friends.

Case Ref. FAM2611

I just wanted to say thank you to Jon Beck and his team for helping **** get equal contact with his dad, you've been amazing throughout and helped us get the outcome we wanted.

Case Ref. FAM2041

Katie Wouldham is very professional but also very friendly and caring, she puts you at ease straight away.

Case Ref. FAM2201

Jon Beck dealt with my matter very professionally at all times.

Case Ref. FAM2146

Jon was a real tonic in a difficult situation because he kep tthings 'light and humorous' but exceptionally professional at the same time. Jon really took his time to understand the situation and my character so that he could give a personal, patient, efficient and professional service. A massive thank you!

Case Ref. FAM1909

Clive gave excellent service at all times. He listened, reassured, which is so important when you're dealing with divorce and feeling very vulnerable. He gave advice but wasn't forceful and let me have my say, helped and explained matters I didn't understand or wasn't sure of. I would highly recommend him to anyone! A local and friendly firm. I haven't got anything to complain about, only gratitude.

Case Ref. F1098/1

Jon Beck dealt with my matter excellently, always replied to emails clearly and quickly.

Case Ref. S2986/3

I could not have asked for a better solicitor than Clive Barker, outstanding service. I felt completely supported and had the utmost faith and confidence in him. Thank you for everything Clive.

Case Ref. G2456/1

Clive and Amanda were exceptional in their duties and care with the situation we were in. In this instance we could not have succeeded with the help and assistance of your legal expertise.

Case Ref. T1758/1

Jon Beck was first class, good sense of humour during a difficult period for me.

Case Ref. B2510/2

Thank you for your help and support over the past years. It's been a long journey during which you have stood tirelessly by my side. For that, I am very grateful.

Case Ref. H2298/1

Jon Beck, for all round advice and knowledge. A very professional service with a personal touch.

Case Ref. B3643/1

Clive treated me with respect and patience at all times, I would absolutely recommend to friends. I always felt I was getting value for money, always at ease through the process and very relaxed with the team.

Case Ref. C2102/1

I would like to thank you for your work in resolving this matter for me. I just wish I had had you representing me the first time around.

Case Ref. G2423/1

Both Clive and Amanda were always sympathetic to my situation and treated my case with respect which helped me retain my dignity.

Case Ref. L1826/1

Jon Beck generally had his finger on the pulse.

Case Ref. B3643/1

Amanda and Clive were professional and promptly responded to all enquiries. Allowing for delays and issues caused by the third party, service was extremely good.

Case Ref. M3173/1

Clive Barker is the most ethical breath of fresh air and is an absolute credit to his profession. He exudes a perfect balance of respect for your subjectivity and just the right amount of pragmatism to achieve what is required. His knowledge is second to none and simply put I would never go elsewhere! Kate Reid, Liz and the conveyancing team did a grand job.

Case Ref. W2848/1

Great service and great outcome from a very difficult process.

Case Ref. M3345/1

Thanks for all your help and support over the last 18 months. I really have appreciated everything.

Case Ref. B3601/1

Thanks for all the support provided throughout. I'm absolutely delighted with the results and things could have not gone any better. Thanks again. Very, very happy with how you have handled the case and for the support provided.

Case Ref. L1874/1

Jon, thank you for your excellent advice. When I need further advice I will be straight back in contact with you.

Case Ref. W2974/1

Jennifer Lee was very helpful at all times. All round good solicitors.

Case Ref. C3121/2

Jennifer Lee was very kind & considerate and dealt with all issues efficiently and effectively. Thank you for all your help & support at a difficult time in my life.

Case Ref. W2653/1

Clive Barker analyses out situation remarkably quickly which gave us real confidence as to the way forward. Thank you for the excellent service provided.

Case Ref. W2921/1

Thank you for all your hard work Jon. You have been a massive support to me and I really appreciate everything you have done to make sure I'm in the best position. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have got the same service from another solicitor!

Case Ref. B3638/2

We dealt with Gillian Hawker, Jo Elliott and Clive Barker - outstanding service. Would thoroughly recommend "Woodford Stauffer" regarding any legal advise or matter.

Case Ref. J1079/1

Jon was brilliant, very supportive and informative.

Case Ref. B3705/1

Clive Barker gave clear advice with actions taken in the timetable given.

Case Ref. S1048/2

Special mention to Jon Beck for his compassion, empathy, sense of humour and ability to communicate without being pompous! Plus knowledge etc etc... Thank you Jon!

Case Ref. G33/3

Many thanks Jon. You have been amazing. You called it from word go and made it all seem easy and well worth it. Thanks again.

Case Ref. E651/2

I am very grateful for your sensible, kind and wise support and help over the last 26 months.

Case Ref. CB/V341/1

Special mention to Jon Beck and Sandra Roos. I am 100% satisfied with the help I received. Thank you.

Case Ref. F1331/1

Hi Jon, a huge thank you to you and your team with regards to my divorce. The last 5 months have been emotional and at times very stressful, but all through it your professionalism, courtesy and willingness to answer any questions I have had has been a huge help along the way. I would have no hesitation in recommending Woodford Stauffer to anyone I know that may need it in the future.

Case Ref. JB/R1956/1

Jon Beck, because of his professional and friendly manner and his knowledge of the whole divorce process. His admin team were also very efficient and understanding. An excellent firm that helped me through a very emotional and, at times stressful 5-6 months.

Case Ref. R1956/1

Clive and Amanda, thank you, it was an experience I didn’t think I would go through but everything ran as smoothly as it could.

Case Ref. S3377/1

Darren, Sarah, Jessica and Clive - All were brilliant, professional,, swift. Would recommend to anyone. Excellent service.

Case Ref. O562/1

Clive Barker was exceptionally understanding of how I felt and that transferred back into his professional capacity.

Case Ref. T922/2

Clive Barker - very professional and knowledgable. I would consult Clive again if I needed advice in the future. Very efficient service - all staff polite and friendly

Case Ref. L1646/1

Family Mediation team

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Clive Barker

Solicitor Consultant

Head of Family Law

Clive Barker

Direct Dial:01252 550433

Email Clive Barker

Clive is a Consultant; he qualified as a Solicitor in 1968 and has always specialised in family law.

He is the Head of our Family Law Department and has a particular interest in difficult or complex financial disputes, and property disputes between unmarried couples.

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Jon Beck

Solicitor/Barrister (New Zealand, non-practising)

Family Department

Jon Beck

Direct Dial:01252 550441

Email Jon Beck

Jon qualified and practised as a Barrister and Solicitor in his native New Zealand, before moving to the UK in 2010, where he has specialised in family law.

Jon has a particular interest in divorces, the separation of unmarried couples involving difficult property disputes and cases with an international flavour. He has earned particular respect for his success handling cases in which a parent seeks to remove a child from the jurisdiction.