about us & our services 

About Denise Head - our mediator 

Denise is a solicitor and Partner in the firm, Bates Wells & Braithwaite in Ipswich and is Head of the Family Law Department with more than 20 years experience in this field. 
She is fully trained as a Family Mediator and is able to assist separating couples by helping them discuss and resolve problems and reach the resolution which is best for them and their family, in a cost-effective way and without having to resort to lengthy, difficult and costly court proceedings. 
 
Denise has for many years been a member of Resolution, an organisation of family law specialists and experts, which aims to reduce stress and acrimony at a very difficult time in clients' lives, and encourages resolution of issues in a sensitive and non-adversarial way. 
She has many years' experience in acting for parties in matters concerning children where the local authority and social services are involved and she has specialist accreditation from the SRA to deal with these matters. 
 
Denise is also a Trustee of PACT, a local organisation which helps provide a family contact centre where parents and children can rebuild relationships. PACT also runs a counselling service for children who are affected by the breakdown of parental relationships and which has helped many hundreds of children to benefit by being able to talk to an understanding adult in confidence. 
 
Furthermore she has been highly commended for her knowledgable, commonsense and straightforward approach to what is usually a very difficult and emotional time for her clients and she strives to reduce animosity by dealing with issues in a sympathetic and non-adversarial way, to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients and their families. 
 
Denise was born in Suffolk and is married with three children. 

how mediation works 

If you come to mediation you will meet with your spouse or partner and Denise and discuss the issues that matter to you. Denise will then help you both to reach an agreement. 
 
Please feel free to contact us for any advice on how the process works to see if it is the route you wish to pursue to reach a mutually agreeable outcome for both you and your partner. 
 
Below is an brief outline of the steps that we follow at Ipswich Mediation to help you work through your arrangements: 

first step... 

We will find out all about you in an individual meeting, explain how mediation works and find out why you have chosen this as a way forward. 
We can then answer all your questions. 

second step... 

We hold a joint session, sometimes more than one, with you and your spouse/partner. You can decide how much time you want to invest in reaching the outcome you have in mind. We talk through the issues that you want to resolve and try to work out a mutually-satisfactory agreement between you. 

final step 

We will prepare documentation setting out what you have agreed and a financial summary if relevant. 

how much will it cost? 

Our fees depend on the amount of time taken in preparation and meetings... please contact us to discuss your situation specifically > 
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