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I’m a celebrity – get me sorted

The new series of “I’m a Celebrity” starts on Sunday 17th November, and the hype is in full swing. TV trailers are currently showing co-presenters Ant and Dec travelling in a boat to try and reach Australia. It’s also choppy waters at the moment for Ant McPartlin’s personal life. He is reportedly setting up meditation talks to reach a divorce settlement with ex-wife Lisa Armstrong, a professional make-up artist.

The move to mediation appears to be an attempt by McPartlin to get the financial settlement agreed before the start of “I’m A Celebrity”, according to reports in The Sun and The Mirror. The ex-couple have been so far unable to agree over a £62million settlement, and arbitration talks last month failed to get the matter resolved.

Lisa Armstrong is reported as resisting pressure to accept a settlement that she does not agree with, and has also resisted signing a non-disclosure agreement. The pair also needs to agree on custody of their chocolate Labrador Hurley, which currently spends alternate weeks with each of them. (Not unusual - see our article on “Who gets the dog”)

It is hoped that mediation talks will succeed where arbitration failed, and prevent the case being returned back to the High Court, with all the ensuing publicity and media scrutiny that would attract. The protracted legal process has also cost the couple at least £1million.

At LGFL, we have seen first-hand the positive outcomes from our own mediation sessions for clients. Professional mediation helps resolve differences between partners, and smooth the way for agreeing child and family arrangements outside of a court room. Our mediation services can be a quick, cost-effective and (above all) a constructive method of reaching an agreement between all parties.

Director Anne Leiper is a trained mediator and member of Resolution. She acts as an independent mediator, to help partners discuss important issues such as child arrangement and financial settlements. Both parties can then take the outcome of mediated discussions to their own solicitor for independent legal advice. Our mediation service is completely independent, so we do not offer mediation for any clients either Anne or Rita represent.

Mediation can be effective at any point in a relationship breakdown:

  • During separation
  • Whether court proceedings have commenced or not
  • At any time during those court processes

Anne is also keen to point out the additional benefits of mediation that couples may overlook:

  • If you undertake mediation at the beginning of a case you can work to avoid court costs.
  • You can also avoid being adjourned off if you have not mediated.
  • Any proposals are in both parties’ control. It is their process
  • Mediation can minimise long term family relationship damage. So, parents can continue to co-parent or co-dog own together.

So, if Ant and Lisa wish to use an independent, experienced mediator based in discreet dog-friendly offices just outside Reading, we’ll be happy to help!