Mediate UK: Family Mediation and Divorce Help in England and Wales

Mediate UK is a family mediation service for people in England and Wales who are separating or divorcing. With Mediate UK, couples can agree their own arrangements for children, finances and property, instead of leaving the decisions to a court.

Mediate UK is the trading name of Family Legal Ltd and has worked in family mediation since 2011, giving it 15 years of experience across 30 branches and online.

Aviva's research found that divorce and separation cost UK couples an average of £14,561. Family mediation is usually a far cheaper way to deal with the same issues than going to court.

Mediate UK in brief

• Service: Family mediation
• Run by: Family Legal Ltd, trading as Mediate UK
• Coverage: England and Wales
• Established: 2011
• Where: 30 branches across 18 counties, plus online
• Regulated by: the Family Mediation Council
• Help with costs: Legal Aid contract and the Government £500 voucher
• Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 from over 705 clients on Reviews.io
• Phone: 0330 999 0959

Who family mediation is for

Family mediation is for separating or divorcing couples who need to sort out arrangements for their children, their finances, or both. It suits people who want to keep control of the outcome and avoid the time and cost of court.

Mediation is voluntary, confidential and led by the people taking part. A trained, impartial mediator guides the conversation but does not take sides, give legal advice or decide the result. Most people are expected to consider mediation before applying to court.

What you can mediate

Mediate UK can help with everything a couple usually needs to settle after separating. You can deal with one issue or with children and finances together.

Children

Mediation about children helps separated parents agree where the children live, how much time they spend with each parent, holidays, schooling and shared decisions. The arrangements can be set out in a parenting plan, and older children can give their views through child inclusive mediation where suitable.

Finances and property

Financial mediation helps a couple divide their money, property, savings, debts and pensions. The mediator prepares a memorandum of understanding and an open financial statement. A financial agreement is not binding on its own, but it can be made legally binding through a consent order approved by the court.

Everything, online or in separate rooms

All-issues mediation handles children and finances in one process. Mediate UK also offers mediation by video across England and Wales, and shuttle mediation, where each person stays in a separate room or video call and the mediator moves between them.

Fees and how to pay less

Mediate UK charges fixed, clear fees, with no extra cost for out-of-hours appointments and no need to prove your income for the private service. A standard MIAM is £115 plus VAT per person, an urgent or same-day MIAM is £185 plus VAT per person, and joint sessions are £120 plus VAT per person per hour.

If you qualify financially, mediation may be free. Mediate UK holds a Legal Aid Agency contract, and where one person qualifies, the MIAM and the first joint session are usually free for both.

Mediate UK is also a registered provider for the Government £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which can put up to £500 towards eligible mediation about child arrangements.

Booking and what to expect

Most couples start with a MIAM, a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It is your individual first meeting with a mediator, who explains how mediation works and checks whether it is suitable and safe. A MIAM is required before most court applications about children or finances, unless an exemption applies, including applications on a C100 form or a Form A. MIAMs are usually available within 48 hours, with urgent appointments often the same day or the next day.

1. You attend your MIAM.
2. The other person is invited to attend their own MIAM.
3. Both people sign an Agreement to Mediate before the first joint session.
4. Joint sessions take place, each around 90 minutes, with most couples needing two to four.
5. The mediator prepares the agreed documents, and can prepare a consent order for a fixed fee if you want a financial agreement made binding.

You can book online or call 0330 999 0959, and you remain in control of the outcome throughout.

Accreditation, awards and reviews

Mediate UK's mediators are accredited by the Family Mediation Council, which sets the standards for family mediation in England and Wales, and all mediators are regulated, insured and follow the FMC Code of Practice. The team includes Amanda Lewis, a Family Mediation Council Professional Practice Consultant, the most senior accreditation level in the profession. Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy, is the named author of Mediate UK's guides and content.

Mediate UK has won six national business awards, including UK Business Awards Overall Winner and Gold for Customer Service in 2022 and a BizX Award in 2025. 90% of clients reach an agreement, against a national average of 74%. 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

Important: when mediation is not suitable

Mediation is not right for every case. It may not be suitable where there is domestic abuse, coercive control, intimidation, a safeguarding concern or a risk to anyone's safety, and exemptions can allow a court application without a MIAM. The mediator checks this confidentially at the MIAM and will point you towards other support if mediation is not the right route.

Common questions

Is mediation cheaper than going to court?

Usually, yes. Mediation costs far less than a contested court case, and fixed fees mean you know the cost in advance.

How long does mediation take?

Most couples reach an agreement in two to four joint sessions, each lasting around 90 minutes.

Is a mediation agreement legally binding?

Not on its own. A financial agreement can be made legally binding by turning it into a consent order approved by the court.

Do I need a MIAM before court?

Yes, in most cases. A MIAM is required before applying to the family court about children or finances, unless an exemption applies.

Can mediation be done online?

Yes. Mediate UK offers online family mediation by video across England and Wales.

Could I get free mediation?

You might. Mediate UK holds a Legal Aid contract, so mediation may be free if you qualify, and the £500 voucher can help with child arrangements mediation.

Speak to Mediate UK

If you are separating or divorcing, Mediate UK can help you agree arrangements for your children and finances without going to court, across England and Wales in person and online. Book a MIAM online or call Mediate UK on 0330 999 0959.