Want to learn more about mediation?
If you would like to know more about mediation and how it works in practice we have a new event for you to attend.
We will be running an online demonstration of a mediation in action.
Would you like to take part?
As well as providing the opportunity to attend and learn from this event we also have a limited number of roles available for members to take part in the mediation. If you would be interested in taking part please email the office direct giving an indication as to which role you would have a preference for.
The case study is based on a real mediation.
The Scenario
Edward (deceased)
Edward married four times and had a will which was very effective for tax planning.
Elsie (2nd wife)
Elsie had been in partnership with Edward in property development. When they divorced, they wound up the partnership and divided the properties. There was an imbalance because Elsie took a huge mansion so she gave him a £100k charge over that property to balance things off. Edward had repeatedly told Elsie that this charge would be cancelled on his death.
Elsie has no family or dependents. She can no longer afford to keep living in the mansion, so wants an equity release. The charge in favour of Edward (now his estate) does not permit any inferior charges.
Diana (4th wife)
Edward married Diana very late – they never lived together, he went into hospital and didn’t come out.
On his death bed he was ‘persuaded’ to execute a codicil leaving everything to Diana – messing up the tax planning and cutting Elsie out.
Elsie is suing for the codicil to be set aside.