Cressida was originally a Barrister having been called to the Bar in 1989 and practised at the Family Bar in cases involving financial matters and issues relating to children on separation and divorce. After leaving the Bar Cressida was involved with running her own business and as an adviser on other commercial businesses, she then retrained with the Family Mediators Association in December 2007 and now works exclusively in the area of mediation and as a consultant in managing divorces and separations. www.cressidaburnet.co.uk

Exploratory Mediation'

Over the last few weeks I have had more enquiries from couples wanting to attend a ‘one-off’ mediation session prior to seeing their solicitors to establish what areas may be in dispute and trying to narrow down the issues they may be potentially litigate. I effectively draw up a list of everything imaginable that could be in dispute and we work our way through it. For the couple to find common ground on one item, to some of them seemed impossible. But generally we do better than that and find that we can segment the list into particular areas, for example, children in relation to contact and residence, what are the housing options, ‘where is everyone going to live’, maintenance this I can break down by asking the couple to start looking at their budget sheets and from this we can establish the basic requirements etc. It is quite remarkable that once the couple start communicating they start to lead the way in the conversations and negotiations. I am a realist and mediation is not the solution for all couples separating but, for some this ‘one off’ mediation session helps them to identify the issues and focus on these, if the dialogue has already been opened who knows.....

Specialist Services

Specialist Family Mediation Consultant. Mediating with couples who are going through divorce or separation - dealing with all issues that may arise including financial aspects and contact issues with children.

Trading Since

2009