Rachael Oakes

Co-Founder and Accredited Mediator

RachaelRachael Oakes, Accredited Mediator, Mediation and More LLP

Qualifications

  • LLB Law Degree
  • Legal Practice Course
  • Qualified solicitor from 1994 – non practising as from 2021
  • Formerly Collaborative Lawyer
  • Formerly Top Band 1 lawyer recognised by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 Leading Individual
  • Family Mediator
  • Distinction in Couples & Family Therapy Diploma
  • Qualified to do Child Inclusive Mediation
  • Qualified to do Hybrid Mediation
  • Deputy District Judge
E: rachael@familymandm.co.uk
T: 07548824932

Specialisims

About Me

Working as an accredited family mediator I specialise in helping couples and families in dispute. I also sit as a Deputy District Judge. Before setting up Family Mediation and Mentoring LLP with my friend and colleague, Claire Colbert, I worked for almost 30 years as a specialist family lawyer and led a very successful family team in a major National Law firm. I understand in great detail the issues involved with separation, divorce, children and family disputes.

Going through separation and divorce and the transition that this requires can be very emotional and challenging.  Family breakdown and family disputes are statistically one of the most stressful things a person can face in life. People are often worrying about the future, their children, how they are going to pay for everything and even where they are going to live.

At Family Mediation and Mentoring LLP we offer all the different types of mediation and we can meet with children. Our focus is to facilitate the resolution of any issue involving family breakdown, separation, divorce and its financial consequences, arrangements for children and any other kind of family dispute. Our aim is to keep people out of court and their legal fees to a minimum.

Whilst working as a family lawyer I was conscious that many couples wanted to meet with us together to obtain an understanding of the steps and options involved in divorce situations before they thought about instructing lawyers. We have a unique Family Law Information Service so that individuals or couples can obtain from us the knowledge they need to help make informed decisions about what to do next. This service can reduce the risk of conflict, help reduce legal fees and assist people if they are representing themselves in the family court. Here is a link to the relevant blog page of our website.

I can also support, through coaching and mentoring, clients dealing with family disputes and the lawyers that work with them. I really enjoy supporting lawyers to help them develop their careers and achieve their goals. Our bespoke training programmes are aimed at supporting professionals working in the field of family law.

I am professional, empathetic and friendly and provide my clients with solutions tailored to meet their individual needs and those of their family.

" You did not just sort out a divorce and a sensible settlement but you delivered a really elegant job that has enabled me to walk away feeling that the marriage had a fair end. Your skill gave me the confidence to move on. "

" When we felt completely out of our depth you went the extra mile to make us feel at ease and comfortable. Thank you for being so kind and helpful and for sorting my future life out! "