About us
At Vanguard Mediation, we help separating couples and families resolve disputes amicably and make practical decisions about the future.
Our experienced family mediators come from a range of professional and personal backgrounds, allowing us to match you with a practitioner who suits your circumstances and communication style.
We provide a confidential, impartial and future-focused process that helps reduce conflict and keep decision-making in your hands—not the court.
Take that step towards resolution and call us for a free consultation to start a faster, more collaborative path forward.
Benefits of mediation
Reduces conflict
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Helps parents communicate in a calmer, more respectful way.
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Focus is on problem‑solving, not “winning”.
Cost‑effective
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Cheaper than pursuing litigation and/or a court case.
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Fewer lawyer hours and court appearances.
Faster and flexible
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Sessions can be scheduled around work and family.
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You control the pace and timing, not the court.
Protects children
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Keeps children out of court and away from adult conflict.
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Encourages child‑focused parenting plans.
You stay in control
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You and the other party make the decisions, not a judge.
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Agreements can be tailored to your family’s needs.
Confidential and private
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Discussions are private, and not part of a court record.
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Safer space to explore options and make offers.
Better long‑term relationships
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Supports ongoing co‑parenting after separation.
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Reduces resentment and helps families move forward.
What is Mediation?
Family mediation is a confidential and voluntary process designed to help separating couples resolve disputes and reach agreements. Instead of relying on a judge to make a binding decision, parties work with a neutral third-party professional commonly known as a mediator. This mediator does not take sides or impose a solution; rather, they facilitate a constructive dialogue, helping each person express their needs and explore mutual agreements.
This approach is frequently used to navigate the complexities of child custody arrangements and/or property division. By prioritising communication over conflict, mediation often reduces the emotional strain on everyone involved, particularly children, and typically offers a faster and more cost-effective alternative to the traditional court system. Because the final agreement is reached by the parties themselves, there is a higher likelihood that the terms will be sustainable in the long term.
What does mediation look like?
Depending on the complexity of the issues, mediation is typically scheduled as either a half-day or a full-day session. A half-day session is often sufficient for parties with straightforward goals or those who have already reached a preliminary understanding. For more complex disputes involving significant assets or intricate parenting schedules, a full-day session ensures there is ample time to explore all options and refine the details of an agreement without feeling rushed.
The structure of these sessions is flexible and adapts to the comfort level of the participants. In a joint session, all parties meet in the same room with the mediator to communicate directly and work through issues together. Alternatively, the mediator will utilise shuttle mediation. In this format, the parties remain in separate rooms, and the mediator moves between them to relay information, facilitate negotiation, and help bridge the gap between differing perspectives.
Every child needs a parent who is “bigger, stronger, wiser and kind”.
Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper and Bert Powell