Topic of the Month -  What can DFSL do for you?

Since April 2008 DFSL has worked to provide a holistic ‘one stop’ referral service to help couples resolve issues arising from separation and/or divorce. Building on the success of the Devon Family Mediation Agency, we remain an independent limited company: our name change reflects our firm belief in providing solutions that meet clients’ emotional needs as well as purely practical solutions.

Our core business remains mediation. We currently have 17 mediators active across Devon. All our mediators have received training accredited by one of the organisations which make up the UK Mediation Council, so you can be assured that your clients will be seen by mediators who practice to the highest professional standards.

Although we are a limited company, we always have and will continue to operate as a consortium of independent mediators under the umbrella of the limited company, which provides the administrative and support services to the mediators. Mediators are drawn from a range of professions, including solicitors, barristers, lecturers, psychologists and those with a child care background. 

The majority of our mediators work part time for DFSL on a case by case basis. This wide range of professional interests allows us to tailor the mediator’s expertise with the clients’ particular needs. Our solicitor mediators work for a number of firms throughout the county, including Crosse & Crosse, Stones, BHR, Hooper and Wollen, Nash & Co, ACT Family Law and Hartnell Chanot. Several of our colleagues also practice Collaborative Law, and a number have trained to consult directly with children. We have a strictly enforced conflict policy available on request which ensures that no mediation is undertaken by any solicitor mediator whose firm has any other connection with the client.

Our range of approaches allows us to mediate in a range of ways to suit the needs of clients. We offer sole and co-mediation, shuttle mediations with clients kept separate, as well as mediations with solicitors present, either in the mediation or on hand to offer advice to clients. Our specialist Children’s’ Resources Worker, Consultant Child Psychologist Paul O’Reilly, is able to see children for a confidential appointment, and works alongside our mediators to ensure that children’s voices are heard effectively and safely within mediation.

Alongside mediation, Clinical Psychologists Harry Temple and Jo Bromley offer appointments to clients individually or together. These highly practical sessions aim to help clients develop strategies for dealing with particular problems, such as managing anger and minimising conflict. Counsellor Alice Scott is available to offer appointments for clients who would benefit from help over a longer period.

We are confident that DFSL can offer an efficient, flexible and professional service to meet every clients’ needs.