Family Law and Divorce Law Mediation Cape Town.
Family Law Mediators Cape Town
Guiding Families to Peaceful Solutions.
Bertus Preller is the visionary behind Family Law Mediators Cape Town (FMS), an innovative practice dedicated to peaceful family law dispute resolution. With over three decades of experience as a Family and Divorce Law Attorney, Bertus brings a level of insight and calm authority that sets the tone for constructive, solution-driven outcomes in even the most complex family matters.
Practising in association with the established Cape Town law firm Maurice Phillips Wisenberg, Bertus is widely recognised for his compassionate, client-focused approach. In 2022, Nicole Martin, a skilled and deeply empathetic Divorce and Family Law Mediator, joined the FMS team. Her collaborative style and experience in guiding high-conflict families toward resolution have made her a trusted figure in the mediation space.
What Is Family Law Mediation?
Family law mediation is a modern and legally sound alternative to traditional litigation. Rather than placing the outcome in the hands of a court, mediation invites both parties to engage in a structured conversation facilitated by a neutral and experienced third party — the mediator. This process promotes dignity, mutual respect, and lasting agreements that reflect the true needs of the family.
Whether you are navigating a divorce, negotiating a parenting plan, or seeking resolution on maintenance and property division, mediation offers a respectful and empowering space to work through issues privately and efficiently.
Why Mediation Works
- Confidentiality: Mediation sessions are held in private and are not part of the public record, ensuring discretion and emotional safety.
- Cost-Effective: Because mediation avoids prolonged litigation, the overall legal costs are substantially reduced.
- Control: The parties remain in charge of the decisions, rather than having outcomes imposed by a judge.
- Faster Resolution: Mediation sessions are typically scheduled quickly and resolved over fewer sessions than court processes.
- Preserves Relationships: Especially important when children are involved, mediation encourages cooperation and reduces future conflict.
Our mediators guide clients through each step of the process, ensuring that their voices are heard and that agreements are both legally sound and emotionally sustainable. The focus is not just on resolving current disputes, but on laying a foundation for better post-separation relationships and parenting partnerships.
When Mediation May Not Be Suitable
Although mediation is a highly effective process in most family law cases, it is not appropriate in all circumstances. Matters involving domestic violence, severe emotional manipulation, substance abuse, or significant power imbalances may require a different intervention.
However, many clients who initially believe that compromise is impossible often find, through skilled facilitation, that productive conversation is still achievable. Our mediators are trained to recognise when mediation is working — and when other legal remedies may be more appropriate.
Our Commitment to You
At Family Law Mediators Cape Town, we believe that divorce and separation do not have to be battles. Our mission is to provide clients with a safe, neutral, and constructive space to resolve their disputes and move forward with dignity. Every family is different, and our mediators take the time to understand your values, needs, and goals.
Whether you are in the early stages of separation or further along in your journey, we offer professional guidance with care, experience, and integrity. Our mediation process is built on the foundation of mutual respect, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of the South African legal framework.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you are considering family mediation or would like to explore whether mediation is the right path for your circumstances, we invite you to get in touch. All consultations are confidential, and we are here to guide you every step of the way.
"Mediation can produce remarkable results in the most unpropitious of circumstances, especially when conducted by one of the several hundred people in this country who have been trained in the process. Unlike settlement negotiations between legal advisers, in themselves frequently fruitful, the process is conducted by an independent expert who can, under conditions of the strictest confidentiality, isolate underlying interests, use the information to identify common ground and, by drawing on his or her own legal and other knowledge, sensitively encourage an evaluation of the prospects of success in the litigation and an appreciation of the costs and practical consequences of continued litigation, particularly if the case is a loser. Brassey AJ in the case of Brownlee v Brownlee: Case number: 2008/25274.
If you decided that mediation is for you, each party must fill in the questionnaire below, separately.
Download our Mediation Brochure
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Contact an Accredited Divorce and Family Law Mediator
Contact our team of highly skilled mediators.
We service Cape Town and surrounds.
We’ve Expanded to Serve You Better
Understanding the diverse needs of our clients, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our services with consulting rooms in Paarl and Melkbosstrand. These additional locations allow us to better serve residents of the Cape West Coast and the Winelands, offering the same high standard of mediation services closer to home.
Whether you are based in the bustling city or the serene countryside, our team is committed to making expert family law mediation accessible to you.
Mediation Rooms
20th Floor
2 Long Street
Cape Town, 8000
Cnr Commaille Road & 13th Ave
Melkbosstrand
Cape Town, 7441
Morgenzon Street
Northern Paarl
Paarl, 7646
Get in Touch
Telephone: 021 419 7115
Email: [email protected]
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