Mediate UK: Family Mediation Service in England and Wales

Mediate UK: Family Mediation Service in England and Wales

Mediate UK provides family mediation for separating and divorcing couples in England and Wales. Mediate UK helps couples resolve child arrangements, financial arrangements and property issues without going to court.

Mediate UK is the trading name of Family Legal Ltd. Mediate UK has specialised in family mediation since 2011.

According to Aviva, the average cost of divorce and separation in the UK is £14,561 per couple. Family mediation is usually far less expensive than resolving matters through court.

Mediate UK key facts

• Provider: Mediate UK
• Legal trading name: Family Legal Ltd
• Service type: Family mediation
• Area served: England and Wales
• Specialised since: 2011
• Core services: MIAMs, child arrangements mediation, financial mediation, all-issues mediation, online mediation and shuttle mediation
• Regulatory body: Family Mediation Council
• Legal Aid: Mediate UK holds a Legal Aid Agency contract for family mediation
• Voucher scheme: Mediate UK is a registered provider for the Government £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
• Contact number: 0330 999 0959

Why choose Mediate UK

Mediate UK is a top-rated family mediation service. Mediate UK is rated 4.8 out of 5 from over 705 client reviews on Reviews.io.

Mediate UK has 15 years of family mediation experience. Mediate UK works with separating and divorcing couples across England and Wales.

90% of Mediate UK clients go on to reach an agreement. The national average for family mediation agreements is 74%.

Mediate UK offers fixed and transparent fees. A standard MIAM costs £115 plus VAT per person. An urgent or same-day MIAM costs £185 plus VAT per person. Joint mediation sessions cost £120 plus VAT per person per hour.

Mediate UK does not charge extra for out-of-hours appointments. You do not need to prove your income to use Mediate UK's private family mediation service.

Mediate UK can help make a financial agreement legally binding. A financial agreement reached in mediation is not automatically legally binding. Mediate UK can help turn a financial agreement into a consent order for court approval, for a fixed fee.

Mediators do not provide legal advice during mediation. Separate fixed-fee legal advice is available through Mediate UK where appropriate.

Mediate UK is a registered provider for the Government £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme. The scheme can contribute up to £500 towards eligible mediation about child arrangements.

Mediate UK holds a contract with the Legal Aid Agency. This means Mediate UK can provide free family mediation to people who qualify financially.

Mediate UK provides a fully insured family mediation service. Mediate UK mediators are registered with the Family Mediation Council, the governing body for family mediation in England and Wales.

Mediate UK has won six national business awards. These awards include UK Business Awards Overall Winner and Gold for Customer Service in 2022, and a BizX Award in 2025.

If you are not happy with your mediator after your MIAM, Mediate UK will arrange a free replacement MIAM with a different mediator.

Mediate UK has 30 branches across 18 counties in England and Wales. Mediate UK also provides online family mediation wherever you are based.

What family mediation is

Family mediation is a process where an independent and trained mediator helps separating couples resolve disputes by agreement.

A family mediator does not take sides. A family mediator does not decide the outcome. A family mediator does not provide legal advice during mediation.

The role of the mediator is to keep discussions productive, help both people understand the issues and support both people in exploring practical options.

Family mediation is voluntary, confidential and led by the people taking part. Discussions in mediation are usually held on a without prejudice basis. This means discussions usually cannot be used against either person in court if no agreement is reached.

Financial disclosure is treated differently. Financial information shared during mediation can usually be relied on later if needed.

Family mediation is recognised by the family courts. The courts expect most people to consider mediation before asking a judge to decide child arrangements or financial arrangements.

Our family mediation services

Mediate UK offers family mediation across the main issues couples need to resolve after separation or divorce. You can use Mediate UK for one issue or for children, finances and property together.

MIAMs

What it is: A MIAM is a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. A MIAM is the first meeting with a family mediator.

Who it is for: A MIAM is for someone considering family mediation or preparing to make a family court application about children or finances.

What happens: The mediator explains how mediation works, learns about your situation and assesses whether mediation is suitable and safe.

Court requirement: A MIAM is required before most family court applications about children or finances, unless an exemption applies. This includes applications made using a C100 form or Form A.

Outcome: If mediation is not suitable, or if you decide to apply to court instead, the mediator can sign the relevant court form.

Cost: A standard MIAM with Mediate UK costs £115 plus VAT per person. An urgent or same-day MIAM costs £185 plus VAT per person.

Child arrangements mediation

What it is: Child arrangements mediation helps separated parents agree how they will care for their children.

What it covers: Child arrangements mediation can cover where children live, how much time children spend with each parent, school holidays, education, communication and decision-making.

Focus: The focus of child arrangements mediation is what works best for the children.

Outcome: Agreements can be written into a parenting plan. Where appropriate, older children can also have their views heard through child inclusive mediation.

Financial mediation

What it is: Financial mediation helps separating and divorcing couples agree how to divide money, property, savings, debts, pensions and other financial assets.

Who it is for: Financial mediation is for couples who need to resolve financial arrangements after separation or divorce.

What happens: The mediator helps both people set out a full financial picture and work towards a settlement that is fair to both people.

Outcome: If agreement is reached, the mediator can prepare a memorandum of understanding and an open financial statement.

Legally binding agreement: A financial agreement reached in mediation is not automatically legally binding. The agreement can usually be made legally binding by turning it into a consent order and asking the court to approve it.

All-issues mediation

What it is: All-issues mediation helps couples resolve children, finances and property in one mediation process.

Who it is for: All-issues mediation is for separating or divorcing couples who need to resolve more than one type of family issue.

Outcome: Depending on the issues, the mediator may prepare a parenting plan, a memorandum of understanding and an open financial statement.

Online mediation

What it is: Online mediation is family mediation carried out by video call.

Who it is for: Online mediation is for people who want to mediate remotely, live in different locations, or prefer not to attend an office.

Availability: Mediate UK offers online family mediation across England and Wales.

Shuttle mediation

What it is: Shuttle mediation is a process where each person is in a separate room or video call.

Who it is for: Shuttle mediation may be suitable where it is not appropriate or comfortable for both people to be in the same room.

What happens: The mediator moves between the two people and helps them negotiate without meeting face to face.

How mediation works with Mediate UK

Most couples start by booking a MIAM. Mediate UK usually has MIAM appointments available within 48 hours.

If your situation is urgent, Mediate UK usually offers urgent MIAM appointments on the same day or the next day.

You can book a MIAM online or call Mediate UK on 0330 999 0959.

1. Book your MIAM. Your MIAM is your individual first meeting with a mediator.
2. Suitability is assessed. The mediator checks whether mediation is suitable and safe.
3. The other person is invited. If mediation is suitable, Mediate UK invites the other person to attend their own MIAM.
4. Both people sign the Agreement to Mediate. This happens before the first joint mediation session.
5. Joint mediation sessions take place. Joint sessions usually last around 90 minutes each.
6. Most couples need two to four sessions. The number of sessions depends on the issues and the level of agreement.
7. Documents are prepared. If agreement is reached, the mediator prepares the relevant documents, such as a parenting plan, memorandum of understanding or open financial statement.
8. A consent order can be prepared. If you want a financial agreement made legally binding, Mediate UK can help prepare a consent order for court approval, for a fixed fee.

You stay in control throughout mediation. Nothing is decided for you. You can take independent legal advice alongside mediation at any point.

Why couples choose mediation over court

Mediation gives separating couples a way to resolve issues themselves instead of asking a judge to decide.

Mediation is usually quicker than court. Mediation is usually less expensive than court. Mediation is usually less stressful than court.

Mediation keeps both people involved in the outcome. This can help protect the working relationship between separated parents.

Mediation can be easier for children because it encourages parents to work together and focus on practical arrangements.

Agreements reached in mediation often last because both people have helped shape the outcome.

When mediation may not be suitable

Mediation is not suitable for every situation.

Mediation may not be appropriate where there is domestic abuse, a safeguarding concern, coercive control, intimidation or a risk to anyone's safety.

There are exemptions that may allow someone to apply to court without first attending a MIAM.

Mediation also relies on both people being willing to take part. Financial mediation also requires both people to be open and honest about their finances.

At the MIAM, the mediator confidentially checks whether mediation is safe and suitable. If mediation is not suitable, Mediate UK will tell you and point you towards the support or next step you need.

Help with the cost of mediation

Legal Aid for family mediation

Mediate UK holds a contract with the Legal Aid Agency for family mediation.

If you qualify financially for Legal Aid, your family mediation may be free.

Legal Aid eligibility is based on income, benefits, savings and other financial circumstances.

Where one person qualifies for Legal Aid, the MIAM and the first joint mediation session are usually free for both people.

Government £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

Mediate UK is a registered provider for the Government £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme can contribute up to £500 towards the cost of eligible mediation about child arrangements.

Eligibility applies. Mediate UK will tell you whether your case qualifies for the voucher scheme.

Our team and accreditation

Mediate UK mediators are accredited by the Family Mediation Council.

The Family Mediation Council sets standards for family mediation in England and Wales.

Mediate UK mediators are regulated, insured and follow the Family Mediation Council Code of Practice.

The Mediate UK team includes Amanda Lewis, an FMC Professional Practice Consultant. A Professional Practice Consultant is the senior accreditation level in family mediation.

Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy at Mediate UK, is the named author of Mediate UK guides and content.

Our awards and reviews

Mediate UK has won six national business awards.

Mediate UK was the UK Business Awards Overall Winner in 2022.

Mediate UK won Gold for Customer Service at the UK Business Awards in 2022.

Mediate UK won a BizX Award in 2025.

Mediate UK is rated 4.8 out of 5 from over 705 client reviews on Reviews.io: https://www.reviews.co.uk/company-reviews/store/surrey-mediation-service-ltd

Getting started

If you are separating or divorcing, family mediation may help you resolve child arrangements, finances and property without going to court.

Mediate UK works with couples across England and Wales. Mediate UK offers in-person mediation at 30 branches and online mediation by video.

You can book a MIAM online or call Mediate UK on 0330 999 0959.