The Worcester Family Mediation Practice

Fern Cotterill

4 months ago

UPSETTING, BIASED AND UNTRUSTWORTHY EXPERIENCE. I feel, after several months of hidden hurt and many nights of contemplation; it is time to leave a review worthy of my experience myself and my partner received. I perceived mediation as a non biased and constructive experience. However it was riddled with bias and prejudice towards myself as mother, and my partner, in fact our mediator Paul leant heavily towards compassion for my children's father. My doting partner himself, who was invited to join the process as a care taker of the children was often sidelined. His comments were often rejected. This left us both feeling unheard, exhausted, and mentally fraught. The After session notes were riddled with inaccuracies and all written as though all suggestions had been made from the children's father. However all the family planning was made by myself and my partner. I felt coerced into mediation by the practise emails that talked of solicitors and court proceedings if I were not to volunteer my time to the mediation process. At the start of the mediation process it became apparent that there was a conflict of interest; losing my trust from the initial MIAM session. The mediator, Paul, knew about the conflict of interest and decided to only talk of it when he knew I was aware of the situation. This was a red flag. I continued with mediation for three sessions hoping that my instinct of bias, and unprofessionalism was a minor hiccup. In proceeding.....I found it was not. I would never suggest this practise to anymore. Especially mothers who have had experience of manipulation, gaslighting and previous trauma and yet are hopelessly diligently hard working and taking the primary role of childcare. This whole process had led to emotional trauma ultimately putting enormous strain on home. I have suffered anxiety with thoughts left unsaid and feelings of despair. It is quite opposite to the helpful and compassionate world of mediation.

Sam L

8 months ago

SHOCKING – Biased and unprofessional mediator. I am extremely shocked and appalled by the three mediation sessions I witnessed between my partner and her ex-partner. The mediator, Paul Kemp, was extremely biased towards the other party and this was evident in his follow-up notes where he detailed the other party as having made all of the proposals and suggestions that my partner had actually put forward. The notes were riddled with inaccuracies and all 3 sets of Paul’s notes had been written to favour the other party; Paul was in no way in line with the Family Mediation Standards Boards codes of conduct regarding impartiality. Even after my partner arranged a meeting with Paul to discuss his biased and an issue relating to conflict of interest, Paul’s third set of notes were still factually incorrect and biased towards the other party. Due to this we cancelled the mediation process with The Worcester Family Mediation Practice (WFMP). To address our concerns further, I subsequently, raised my concerns to Paul in a letter attached to an email, to which he completely ignored, noting the WFMP did not have a complaints procedure at this time. This behaviour is reflective of his conduct within the mediation sessions where he was dismissive to points and concerns raised by my partner and me. My partner also submitted a formal complaint, and we have since received a response from the WFMP; essentially this was a standard response where they had no interest in investigating the issues further; thus, nothing will change. I had attended these mediation sessions to support my partner as she was anxious about why mediation had been arranged by her ex-partner who is controlling and manipulative. Noting the sensitivities surrounding mediation it was emotionally difficult for her, to then be treated unfairly by Paul and receiving inaccurate notes caused her even more anxiety and disappointment. I’m a professional engineer and have been in the RAF for 23 years, I am so shocked at the lack of professionalism and how biased Paul was. Even when greeting Paul, he looked straight past me and had no real interest in engaging with my partner or me. This is not something we should have experienced, and I expected a high level of professionalism from someone who trained as a solicitor and has been a mediator for 30 years. Paul’s impartiality and professionalism has previously been questioned; I recommend you read the Google review from Jenna-Leigh Cogbill, who had a similar experience, before proceeding with the WFMP. I am unbale to comment on the professionalism of the other mediators at the Worcester Family Mediation Practice but as Paul is a Principal mediator for this practice I would proceed with caution.

S Days Email

7 months ago

One star is too much for Paul Kemp. I totally agree with the recent poor reviews and experience of bias and impartiality. Chose a professional mediator please do not use this company save your money and avoid poor service,

Christopher Homer

11 months ago

Very good experience with Nell and Kirsty. Good communication throughout the process, produced the necessary documentation as required and they acted professionally throughout what can be an emotionally challenging situation for everyone. Highly recommend to anyone facing similar circumstances.

A M

4 years ago

Spoke with Paul Kemp today, the initial set up to the meeting was quick and easy. The meeting itself was online and easy to access. Although I had been fairly anxious before the chat, I felt very relaxed once I'd spoken to Paul and found the whole conversation very informative. Would definitely recommend him if your looking for family mediation.