Member Article

Manchester law firm expands mediation team

Kim Aucott, a consultant solicitor in the family team at leading Manchester law firm Slater Heelis has qualified as a mediator.

Mediation is becoming increasingly popular with couples offering them a less hostile route to separation. Mediators meet with a couple together and help them try and reach a mutual agreement.

Mark Heptinstall, Head of family law at Slater Heelis, said:

“Kim’s qualification will strengthen a crucial niche specialism within our team. With Phillip Rhodes also mediating we now have both a male and a female mediator allowing us to provide a comprehensive service to suit the individual requirements of all our family clients.

“We take pride in the fact that our family clients have access to the highest standards of professional advice. Kim is a specialist family solicitor and like all our lawyers, a member of Resolution which comprises 6,500 lawyers and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. Members adhere to a code of practice which promotes a non-confrontational approach to family disputes.”

Kim added:

“Using a mediator can be more cost-effective and much quicker for couples than traditional litigation.

“When a couple has reached a decision to divorce or separate family mediators can help them to work out the practical and legal aspect of their divorce or separation and make arrangements about their children in a way that is focussed on their needs.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Howarth .