Pauline Knight provides Mediation Services in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland
I offer Mediation Advice in the following areas:
- Care of the Elderly , ie: care arrangements for older relatives,appointment of Attorney and /or Controller
- Separation/Divorce – Financial issues-maintenance, property settlements,agreeing parenting arrangements for children.
- Family disputes ie: between brothers and sisters,adult son or daughter and parent.
- Debt Mediation
- One off /single issue mediation sessions—ie during the course of legal proceedings or negotiations.
Our offices are at Wellington Park, Belfast but Mediation may be arranged at a location anywhere in Northern Ireland which is agreed by and convenient to the parties.
7 Steps to Mediation Services In Northern Ireland – A Helpful Guide
| 1. Consider if you are ready to negotiate to avoid remaining rooted in one position. |
| 2. Be clear about the issues you wish to address and think carefully about the matters which you wish to discuss and what your priorities are. |
| 3. Do not rush Mediation. It is not a race to a finishing line.Go at your own pace and the pace of the other person-within reason. |
| 4. Be prepared to listen. Listening does not mean agreeing or capitulating!It may not be easy to listen when a relationship has broken down but if you are prepared to listen with an open mind then it is more likely that you will reach an arrangement which is acceptable to both of you. |
| 5. Be willing to compromise and explore all options with a view to resolving the differences in a manner which best suits both of you. |
| 6. Look forward and focus on the future as far as possible. |
| 7. A fair outcome usually leaves both parties feeling it is a deal which he/she can live with. |
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a process whereby with the assistance of a neutral trained Mediator parties in dispute find a resolution which is appropriate for their particular circumstances rather than have a third party impose a solution.
Mediation is a world wide tried and tested method of resolving disputes and differences effectively, speedily and at much less cost than the alternatives while reducing acrimony and maintaining communication between the parties to the dispute.
Mediation may be used in all types of disputes or differences not just those which could be the subject of legal proceedings eg many long running family divisions arise due to differences in respect of care for elderly relatives and these problems may lead to disputed Wills and claims and dividing brother, sister and cousins down the generations. The involvement of a skilled Mediator at an early stage will help to preserve relationships and enable family members to reach their own resolution.
Mediation may be used in all types of family issues including those involving divorce and separating couples and matters relevant to children including their schooling, medical matters,contact and residence.
Debt, business disputes and differences with public authorities are with the consent of both parties all suitable for Mediation.
In an age when we all increasingly use search engines to arm ourselves with information which in the past could have been obtained only from experts or professionals taking control of our own issues with the help of a skilled Mediator is the way forward in the 21st century.
Pauline skillfully guided the mediation between my former partner and myself in a manner which enabled both of us to have our say and reach an agreemnet which both of us can live with.
Pauline Knight – I can Help you through the Mediation process
Pauline Knight – Mediation Services in Northern Ireland
I am a trained Mediator a member of Mediators Institute of Ireland and of the Law Society of Northern Irelands Dispute Resolution panel and is an experienced Collaborative Law practitioner. I was a practising Solicitor in Northern Ireland for many years working in a wide range of legal cases and was a well known and respected Family Law practitioner.
Having had a long term interest and commitment to alternative dispute resolution and a founder member of the Collaborative Law in Northern Ireland I am now acting as a Mediator fulltime.
I am interested in mediating a wide range of issues which give rise to conflict between two or more people from disputes over debt, difficulties arising from separation and other family disputes eg care for elderly relatives.
I use my wide and long experience in legal practise to assist those in dispute to work toward their own resolution with dignity.
I regularly update my mediation skills with the Mediators institute of Ireland .
In my private capacity I volunteer at a local mental health charity,walk the Mournes (well the more level parts!) cycle, cook, garden, negotiate with my family and I am a keen advocate of Mindfulness.
We are looking forward to helping you.