Contact and Mediation – Children's Law Centre

What can I do if I don’t agree with the outcome of mediation decisions being made about contact arrangements?

inico Admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 11:03:59 +0000

If you are not happy with what is agreed through mediation and you still feel that you are not having enough time with a parent or a sibling, then you might have to consider asking a court to make a decision.

Will I get to have a say in decisions being made during mediation?

inico Admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 11:02:07 +0000

Your voice is of extreme importance to family mediators. In general, the needs and wishes of very young children are brought into the process by parents. If you are mature enough you may be able to speak directly with a mediator to let them know your wishes and feelings.

How does Family Mediation work?

inico Admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 11:00:22 +0000

A qualified and experienced ‘family mediator’ from an organisation like Family Mediation NI will help members of the family reach an agreement about things like contact with parents/siblings. When families can agree things themselves they usually work better for everyone.

What is Family Mediation?

inico Admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:59:07 +0000

Family Mediation is a process to help families reach agreement about issues that are causing difficulties, such as contact arrangements, so they don’t have to go to court. Family Mediation can only work if everybody agrees to take part in the process.

How much contact can I expect to have with a parent or my brother(s) and sister(s)?

inico Admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:58:14 +0000

There are no specific rules on this and each family has its own particular circumstances but it should allow you to have a meaningful relationship with all your family. It is usually a matter for you and your parents to decide.

If you do not feel you are seeing enough of one of your parents or your brothers and sisters, or you don’t feel that people are listening to what you want, then you could go to court for a Contact Order which will set out the amount of contact you should have.

I don’t have contact with my parent/family members. How do I get to see them?

inico Admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:56:49 +0000

When parents and children live apart, family contact is usually arranged by parents but you are entitled to have regular contact with all your family.

Your wishes and feelings are very important and you have a right to have a say about contact. If you and the adults involved in decisions cannot agree on contact arrangements then you could go to mediation to help resolve any disagreement, or you could go to court for a Contact Order in order to see your parent/brothers and sisters.

If my parents separate, can I choose who I live with?

inico Admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 10:53:50 +0000

When parents separate it can be a very difficult time for everyone in the family. Parents should always do what is best for their children and this includes deciding which parent the children should live with and maintaining good relations between children and the parent they don’t live with.

Your wishes and feelings should be considered when these decisions are being made. As a teenager your wishes and feelings should carry a lot of weight and if parents can’t agree on things and a court is asked to decide, the court will always have your wishes and feelings as the first thing they consider.

Older teenagers should be able to decide for themselves which parent they live with and how much they see of the other parent. It’s important that children maintain a meaningful relationship with both their parents.