Is there anywhere/anyone you can go to in order to arrange access visits?

[Aimsmum]

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Try mediation - I've just been. Cheaper though the outcome is not enforceable by law but you can get lawers to write it up afterwards which then would be legally binding. Theoretically you both come to an agreement with the audience of a third party so you shouldn't row so much plus you both listen to each other. The mediator does not advise but basically referres. Therefore you are both more likely to stick to the agreement as you have both had input into it.

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Hi Aimsmum, won't comment on how useful I found it yet. The mediator wasn't that confidential. I told her at the session I had alone that I had seen a solicitor but I did not want xp to know that. She brought that up straight away at the joint session. Anyway I digress. First session was free (the individual session) for both of us - an hour approx. Neither of us are on legal aid and we paid £150 each today which covers todays session and another one which is already booked. Session was 1 1/2 hours. Beginning (20mins) was 'going through the rules' IMO - wasted time - we had both been given documents on this which we had read. Estimate you may need 4 - 7 sessions - so roughly £75 a session. Pricing is banded - if you are on legal aid it is free and then goes up accordingly. From what I've read - each centre has their own way of doing things - some have no free sessions and no individual appointments. Hope that helps - happy to answer any further questions.

i went to mediation for something different and found it useless. it was about £100 and because we didnt agree we didnt get anything written up. so unless you thinhk you will agree there is little point going imo. the mediator was a pompous old git who told me ds probably developed aspergers because of the relationship between me and xp. he refused to be convinced he was anything other than 100% correct and conducted the rest of the session with this in mind, meaning the real problems were ignored. it also took several months to get an appointment so might not be any quicker than writing to each other. as it wont be legally binding anyway you could always try writing yourself, then at least you have proof of what you did/didnt agree if you end up in court

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