Who we are
Who we are
Contact our local experts
Our friendly administrators will guide you through the referral process, arranging mutually convenient appointments for you to meet your mediator. Get in touch with our friendly team for an initial, no-obligation appointment in any one of our four locations.
Sarah Jones – Partner, Mediator, Collaborative Lawyer, Mediation Professional Practice Consultant and Resolution Accredited Specialist
Tel: 01747 825432 Email Sarah
I believe that mediation allows people to take control of their own decision-making. Choosing the right mediator is key. If you have the right mediator working with you, you will go on a journey, understanding how and why you reached the proposals that you did. I’m pleased to say that my mediation clients are equally clear about the benefits of the process:
“What a breath of fresh air! Completely different from the negative experience we had encountered previously. Sarah Jones took the time to listen to us both without bias. Although as parents, we couldn’t agree on everything, with Sarah’s help, we accepted the fact that there was no perfect scenario in a break up involving kids. Compromise is needed, in contrast to the negatives a court case brings, we were encouraged to think about the positives each of us had to offer our child, and we worked together to come to an arrangement that best suited all of us.”
From experience, the main benefit that I see for my mediation clients is that they make a smoother transition from being parents together in a relationship to separated parents who work together despite no longer being in the same relationship. Mediation clients are able to make decisions themselves, rather than have a Court impose outcomes on them. Mediation is an inclusive process in which all ideas can be explored and discussed to see how well they will operate in real life.
Sarah Butler – Parnter, Mediator and Resolution Accredited Specialist
Tel: 01747 825432 Email Sarah
Practising as a mediator enables Sarah to combine her sensitive approach to working with clients in difficult circumstances with her pragmatic skills in assisting people to reach a resolution of their differences. She is an Accredited Mediator with the Family Mediation Council.
“Got the result that I wanted. The process went quickly and smoothly, yes we both had to make slight alterations throughout, but then that is life. Some of the ‘legal process’ seemed a bit strange but then the law of divorce has to be.”
Sarah says, “I have worked as a mediator, alongside my practice as a solicitor, for 6 years now and feel that family mediation services are a positive way forward for separating families. It enables people to feel more involved with the outcome of their matter and have a greater understanding of why that outcome has been reached.” Sarah is also very conscious that her continued work as a solicitor provides her with clear insight into how the Court might treat some disputes, meaning that she can pass on this information to mediation clients.
Lucy Brown – Partner, Trained Mediator, Collaborative Lawyer and Law Society Advanced Family Lawyer
Tel: 01747 825432 Email Lucy
Having worked as a solicitor for more than 10 years before training as a mediator, I can clearly see the benefits of mediation for clients, particularly in terms of the likely cost-saving and the clients’ sense of ownership. It is very easy for clients to feel overwhelmed and dictated to in the Court process, whereas, in mediation, clients can make their own choices and be in charge of the outcomes.
Mediation allows people to keep the lines of communication open – this is vital when they are also parents and will need to continue parenting their children after they have separated.
I joined Farnfields in January 2018. I am a Law Society Advanced Family Panel Member, Trained Mediator, Collaborative Practitioner and Resolution Accredited Specialist.
“I wanted to thank you and your team. Your professionalism, expertise, experience and patience with me has been completely wonderful. Your advice has transformed my life and most importantly my daughters’ lives for the better. I cannot thank you enough.”
Tracey Parsons – Consultant Family Solicitor Mediator
Tel: 01747 825432 Email: Tracey
Tracey is a member of Resolution, the national association of specialist family lawyers committed to a constructive approach to resolve family disputes. She is a member of the Family Mediation Council (FMC) and holds FMCA accredited status. She is also a member of the Law Society Family Mediation Panel.
Tracey has extensive family mediation work experience. Her work includes:
- Financial and property disputes on marital breakdown, including complex issues, such as, business disputes including farms, inheritances, pre-marital agreements and pensions.
- Issues relating to children when parents separate, including proposed moves overseas, schooling plans and arrangements for shared time with each parent.
Tracey offers mediation for all clients seeking a civilised process to resolve their issues and to obtain a settlement. Tracey tries to guide and support her clients to make what can sometimes be a difficult process less stressful. She is known for her pragmatic approach helping her clients to achieve good outcomes.
Mediation Administrators
Annabel Hawkins
Based in our Gillingham office, Annabel works to ensure the administration of the mediation service runs smoothly and also provides secretarial support to the Family team overall.
“Very happy from start to finish about the whole procedure. Although it was a difficult time I was made to feel at ease. Thank you!”