Barker Mediation Services
Online Mediation
Online Family Mediation with Barker Mediation?
Resolve conflict calmly, fairly and without court stress — from the comfort of your home.
Family disputes — whether around separation, children or finances — can be stressful and emotionally draining. Online mediation offers a supportive, confidential, and practical alternative to traditional court proceedings, helping you and your family reach agreements together with expert guidance.
What Is Online Mediation ?
Online family mediation is a structured, voluntary dispute‑resolution process offered via secure video or telephone sessions. An impartial mediator trained in these issues helps both sides communicate, clarifies the issues and explores solutions that work for everyone.
You come from wherever you are — no travel, no waiting rooms, no extra stress. You simple need wifi – and a smart device – your phone, laptop or tablet and the Zoom app downloaded.
This approach works well for separating couples, co‑parents or family members who prefer a more consensual means of resolving disputes surrounding:
- Child arrangements (living, time, schooling)
- Financial and property issues
- Co‑parenting plans
- Future communication and boundaries
It’s all about respectful dialogue, practical solutions and outcomes that fit your life — not decisions made by a judge. Our professional mediators can discuss the whole process with you.
Avoid stress from a family separation and opt for family online mediation – a better alternative to discuss sensitive topics with confidentiality from the comfort of your own home via Zoom. We can even offer child inclusive mediation online if the child meets the criteria. Specialist family mediation available – find out more today.
How Online Mediation Works
Initial Contact
Call, email or contact Barker Mediation via the contact form. We listen first and make sure mediation is the right fit for you.
Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting
Everyone has a private online meeting with the mediator, during which their needs, questions, and how the process works are clarified. This meeting also determines whether mediation is appropriate. Online mediation might be the right choice for you both. Remove travel expenses, worry of taking time off work and have the comfort of their own homes to discuss these sensitive matters. During your Mediation information assessment meeting you can discuss one – two – one with your family law mediator in a supportive environment what you wish to resolve.
In your initial meeting you can discuss what best suits you both. The family mediation process can discuss issues such as family law, divorce process, child contact and financial matters.
Scheduling Sessions
With both parties’ agreement, we can schedule online mediation sessions at your convenience. From the comfort of your own home. The video conferencing can even be done on shuttle sessions if needed, so that you aren’t directly contacting your ex-partner. Your professionally trained mediator can discuss the best way forward for you both.
Guided Discussions
In an even more structured format, you and the other party discuss the issues with the mediator facilitating the conversation to help find productive solutions. The online mediation is a confidential setting, keeping all issues discussed completely private unlike the court process. Mediation is a voluntary process where your mediator can help you and your former partner reach a final decision without the cost of going through the courts.
Reaching an Agreement
Actively listening will help us reach common constructive solutions. You can then take those agreements to solicitors and have them drafted as a legally binding document, if need be. Our team have years of experience in dispute resolution. We can help foster effective communication so that you can both reach a resolution and informed decision that works for both of you. From childcare responsibilities through to property and pensions we can help resolve disputes FAST.
Support and Aftercare
We are here for you beyond the mediation itself — if you have questions about what to do next, any documentation needed or referrals. You may be entitled to legal aid to help cover the cost of the mediation process. Your trained mediator can assess your eligibility before your mediation meetings. Our mediators are all accredited and part of the Family Mediation Council. We also accept the government mediation voucher scheme while it is still running.
Benefits of Online Mediation
✅ Convenient & Flexible
Participate from home or wherever suits you best — no need to travel, juggle childcare or take extra time off work.
✅ Faster and Less Costly Than Court
Mediation typically resolves disputes much more quickly and at a significantly lower cost than litigation, with less emotional strain. 3 x Times faster than court! You choose your dates & Times.
✅ You Stay in Control
Instead of a judge making decisions for you, you and the other party shape the outcomes together, in ways that reflect your family’s real needs.
✅ Confidential and Supportive
Mediation sessions are private — what you say stays between you, the other party and the mediator.
✅ Child‑Centred Solutions
Arrangements should be focused on doing what is best for your children in terms of their well‑being and long‑term stability, not winning or losing.
✅ Reduced Conflict
By facilitating constructive discussion, mediation often generates less rancour and more cooperation than litigation.
What Our Clients Say...
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Mediation
Q: What is online family mediation, exactly?
A: It is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral third party facilitates communication between you and the other party to help draw agreements through video or phone, so no face-to-face meetings are needed.
Q: Is online mediation legally binding?
A: Mediation does not result in automatic legal orders. But with the help of a solicitor or court, they can also take on legally binding arrangements.
Q: What platform is the online mediation carried out on?
A: All mediation sessions are held online via Zoom. For security and transparency, sessions are recorded. Participants will be informed in advance, and recordings will be handled in accordance with privacy and confidentiality guidelines.
Q: What is shuttle mediation and can this be done online in a Zoom session as well?
A: Shuttle mediation is a process where the mediator communicates with each party separately, rather than bringing everyone together in the same conversation. This can be especially helpful when tensions are high or direct communication is difficult. Yes, shuttle mediation can be conducted effectively online via Zoom, with the mediator moving between private breakout rooms to speak with each party individually.
Q: How long does online mediation take?
A: It varies, but many families reach agreements in a few sessions over weeks rather than months.
Q: Why is online mediation better than in-person mediation?
- Flexible and convenient — join from anywhere without the need to travel
- Easier to schedule around work, family, or other commitments
- Accessible for those in different locations or with mobility challenges
- More comfortable environment, helping participants feel at ease and communicate openly
- Secure and structured, with features like private breakout rooms and controlled access
- Maintains the same professional, confidential process as in-person mediation
Overall, online mediation combines convenience with a supportive and secure setting, helping parties focus on reaching a resolution in a way that works best for them.
Q: Do we both have to attend?
A: Yes — mediation works with both parties’ involvement. If someone refuses, we can still meet with you individually and advise on next steps.
Q: What happens if mediation doesn’t work?
A: Mediation can still help narrow the important issues, even in the absence of a full agreement. You should still attend MIAM in the first instance, because even if you do want to go to court later, attending MIAM can satisfy the legal requirements for appearing before a judge.
Q: Is online mediation safe if emotions are running high?
A: Yes. Our mediators are trained in holding sensitive conversations, and the online format lends itself to a more relaxed environment, minimising tensions and keeping discussions productive.
Ready to Begin?
You don’t have to face this alone — and you don’t have to go to court first. Online mediation offers clarity, control, and compassion when you need it most.
👉 Contact Barker Mediation today to book your confidential initial consultation and take the first step toward a fairer, calmer future.