Mediation, Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAMS)
£140 plus vat per hour
Family Mediation In Petersfield
Accredited mediation appointments near Petersfield for separating couples across East Hampshire and the surrounding area.
Supporting Families In Petersfield and Beyond
If you are going through a separation and you live in or around Petersfield, you do not have to travel far to access professional, accredited family mediation. Choice Family Mediation holds regular appointments in Clanfield, led by Hazel Manktelow, a solicitor mediator who has been working with families in this area for well over a decade.
The families we work with come from all sorts of circumstances. Some are married couples going through divorce, others are unmarried partners separating after years together. Some have children at the centre of everything, others need help primarily with financial and property arrangements. We also have specialist knowledge of armed forces pension matters, which is relevant to a number of families in this part of Hampshire given the proximity to military sites across the region.
Family Mediation Appointments near Petersfield
Hazel holds regular appointments in Clanfield, making it straightforward for families across East Hampshire to access mediation without a lengthy journey. For those who prefer not to travel, or whose circumstances make meeting in person difficult, video appointments are available and work just as effectively for most sessions.
Choice Family Mediation is based at 32 Drift Road in Clanfield, which is a short drive from Petersfield along the A3. Many clients find it convenient to attend in Clanfield, with free parking outside. Both options are available, and Hazel will work with you to find whichever arrangement suits you best.
What Choice Family Mediation Can Help You With
We approach each case with a fresh outlook, ready to help both parties find a resolution that is acceptable to them as individuals. Our friendly yet professional stance is built upon 20 years’ experience in family law and our extensive knowledge is put to good use by helping couples communicate calmly in a neutral setting.
Testimonials
Just a selection of feedback from our satisfied customers.
"Thank you for being such a calming and steadying presence and for your wisdom and ability to navigate me through such complex matters. You have always take the time to explain things to help make them manageable to me"
"I found mediation a positive environment to discuss all aspects of our divorce in a confidential atmosphere. My ex-husband and I had found it difficult to reach an agreement and we just needed a third party who had no connection to us to help discuss the points we could not agree on. We found Hazel to be very professional and knowledgeable and our mediation has been successful in drawing up plans to progress our divorce. I would highly recommend mediation and discussing with third parties to reduce costs, but also to conduct your divorce in a grown-up manner and avoid the ping pong and stress of lawyer's letters. Give it a try!"
“I have referred a number of clients to Hazel. From a solicitor’s perspective, I have been pleased with how Hazel has guided the discussions towards a sensible solution, followed up by clear and comprehensive notes. Clients have reported feeling at ease in her company and able to address issues that they had been daunted by, which is so important.”
"Thank you so much for your patience, help and genuine care you showed .. It was such a hard and emotional time for me and your guidance, reassurance and expertise truly helped to calm me and get me through it. Your kindness and understanding made a difficult situation feel more manageable".
"Just a quick note to let you know that all your hard work between myself and [X] has now actually become an approved financial consent order just today, thank you for your help"
“Hazel has a great knack of keeping the discussions positive and forward-looking, even during some potentially very difficult conversations. She skilfully manages to keep both parties feeling equally well-represented throughout mediation. The mediation process is more efficient, less acrimonious and ultimately a lot cheaper than going to court. I would thoroughly recommend Hazel’s services.”
How the Mediation Process Works at Choice
Every case is approached individually. There is no standard template for a family separation, and the team do not work as though there is.
The Cost of Family Mediation in Petersfield
The cost of mediation varies depending on how many sessions are needed and the complexity of the issues involved. Hazel will talk through pricing clearly so there are no surprises.
If your mediation involves arrangements for children, you may be eligible for the government's Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which contributes up to £500 towards the cost. Legal aid is also available in some circumstances. These funding options are worth exploring before assuming mediation is out of reach financially, and Hazel is happy to help you understand what you might be entitled to.
It is worth putting mediation costs in context too. A contested financial dispute or child arrangements case that goes to court can cost thousands of pounds and take many months. Mediation, even when it requires several sessions, is almost always the more affordable and quicker route.
Petersfield's Top Family Mediator
Hazel has been a familiar name in Petersfield's family law community for many years. She relocated to Petersfield in 2013, establishing herself as one of the leading family solicitors in the Hampshire area before founding Choice Family Mediation in 2015. She also works as a consultant solicitor with Family Law Partners, and that dual role gives her a thorough understanding of the local legal landscape that relatively few mediators can offer.
That local knowledge matters in practice. Hazel is familiar with the courts, the solicitors, and the financial advisers that families in the area are likely to be working with. When other professionals are already involved in your case, that familiarity makes it easier to coordinate and ensures nothing falls through the gaps.
She is accredited by the Family Mediation Council and holds recognised status against the national standards set by National Family Mediation. She is also a trained child inclusive mediator, meaning she can meet with children directly as part of the process, giving them a voice without placing them in the middle of adult conflict. In 2023, she was named a Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500, recognised for her sensitive but pragmatic approach and her ability to resolve matters without inflaming the situation.
Winchester Appointments Available
Hazel also works closely with Jayne Llewelyn, a specialist family law solicitor, collaborative lawyer and accredited mediator who holds regular appointments in Winchester. Jayne brings significant experience in complex and high-value cases, including those involving pensions, family businesses, trusts and overseas assets, and she works with families across Hampshire and beyond.
Jayne is a Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500 UK 2026 and is known for being approachable and practical without ever losing sight of what her clients actually need. She is a committed collaborative lawyer and mediator, which means she is equally comfortable finding non-court resolutions as she is navigating more contested proceedings.
For families in Winchester, Southampton and the wider west and central Hampshire area, Jayne is often the natural first point of contact. Between them, Hazel and Jayne cover a broad stretch of Hampshire, and Hazel is happy to point you towards whichever of them is best placed to help with your situation.
Get In Touch With Our Family Mediation Team In Petersfield
If you are based in Petersfield or the surrounding area and you would like to find out more about family mediation, the best place to start is by contacting us. You will come away with a clear understanding of the process and whether it is right for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions From Petersfield Clients
Do I need to attend my MIAM in person?
No. MIAMs can be held by video call if you would prefer, or if meeting in person is difficult for any reason. A significant number of clients choose to do their initial MIAM remotely and then attend joint sessions in person once the process is underway. We are guided by what works for you.
I live outside Petersfield. Can you still help me?
Yes. Choice Family Mediation works with families from across East Hampshire and into West Sussex, including those based in rural areas and smaller villages throughout the South Downs. Our Clanfield office is easy to get to, and a peaceful environment. Video appointments are also an option if travel is a barrier.
What if my ex-partner does not want to try mediation?
One person attending a MIAM is enough to get the process started. You do not need the other party's agreement before booking your own appointment. If they are reluctant, attending your MIAM still fulfils the legal requirement before any family court application, and sometimes the act of one party attending prompts the other to reconsider.
Are you able to help with financial matters as well as children?
Yes, and this is a significant part of what we do. Our background as a family solicitor means we have a detailed understanding of financial and property issues following separation. We help both parties work from an accurate, shared picture of their finances through a document called an open financial summary, which covers all assets, liabilities, income and expenditure. Decisions made on that basis tend to be more durable and less likely to be challenged later.
Can children be involved in the mediation process?
Yes, through child inclusive mediation. We are trained to meet with children separately, giving them a chance to express their views to a neutral person without feeling caught between their parents. Those views are then shared with the parents in an appropriate way. This is particularly helpful in cases where children are struggling to communicate their feelings, or where parents are unsure what their children actually want.
