Mediate UK: Family Mediation in England and Wales for Children, Finances and Property

Mediate UK is a family mediation service in England and Wales, helping separating and divorcing couples settle arrangements for their children, finances and property. It offers a way to resolve these matters by agreement, without the expense and uncertainty of court.

Mediate UK is the trading name of Family Legal Ltd and has worked in family mediation since 2011. It has 15 years of experience, operates from 30 branches across England and Wales, and offers mediation online.

According to Aviva's Family Finances Report, divorce and separation cost UK couples an average of £14,561. Family mediation usually costs far less than resolving the same issues in court.

About Mediate UK

  • Service: Family mediation
  • Trading name of: Family Legal Ltd
  • Area served: England and Wales
  • Since: 2011
  • Locations: 30 branches across 18 counties, plus online
  • Regulator: Family Mediation Council
  • Funding help: Legal Aid contract and the Government £500 voucher scheme
  • Rating: 4.8 out of 5 from over 705 reviews on Reviews.io
  • Phone: 0330 999 0959

What Mediate UK does

Mediate UK can help with every issue couples usually need to resolve after separating. You can mediate one matter or deal with children, finances and property together.

MIAMs

A MIAM, or Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, is your individual first meeting with a mediator. The mediator explains how mediation works and assesses whether it is suitable and safe for you. A MIAM is required before most family court applications about children or finances, unless an exemption applies, including applications on a C100 form or a Form A. A standard MIAM is £115 plus VAT per person, and an urgent or same-day MIAM is £185 plus VAT per person.

Mediation about children

This helps separated parents agree how their children will be cared for, including where they live, time with each parent, holidays, schooling and shared decisions. The welfare of the children comes first. Agreements can be recorded in a parenting plan, and older children can give their views through child inclusive mediation where appropriate.

Mediation about finances and property

This helps a couple divide their money, property, savings, debts and pensions. The mediator helps both people set out their full finances and reach a fair settlement, then prepares a memorandum of understanding and an open financial statement. A financial agreement is not binding by itself, but it can be made legally binding through a consent order approved by the court. Joint sessions are £120 plus VAT per person per hour.

All-issues mediation

All-issues mediation handles children, finances and property together in one process, for couples with more than one thing to resolve.

Online and shuttle mediation

Mediate UK offers mediation by video across England and Wales, which suits people who live apart or prefer not to travel. It also offers shuttle mediation, where each person stays in a separate room or video call and the mediator moves between them, so a couple can reach agreement without meeting face to face.

What family mediation is and how it helps

Family mediation is a process in which a trained, impartial mediator helps a separating couple reach their own agreement. The mediator does not take sides, give legal advice or decide the outcome, but guides the conversation and helps both people find workable solutions.

Mediation is voluntary and confidential, and the family courts recognise it. Most people are expected to consider mediation before applying to court. Compared with a contested court case, mediation is usually quicker, cheaper and less stressful, and it keeps both people in control of the outcome.

The mediation process

Most couples begin by booking a MIAM, usually available within 48 hours, with urgent appointments often the same day or the next day. You can book online or call 0330 999 0959.

  1. You attend your MIAM, your individual first meeting with a mediator.
  2. The mediator confirms whether mediation is safe and suitable.
  3. The other person is invited to attend their own MIAM.
  4. Both people sign an Agreement to Mediate before the first joint session.
  5. Joint sessions take place, each around 90 minutes, with most couples needing two to four.
  6. The mediator prepares the agreed documents, such as a parenting plan, memorandum of understanding or open financial statement.
  7. For a fixed fee, Mediate UK can prepare a consent order so a financial agreement becomes legally binding.

You stay in control of the outcome throughout, and can take independent legal advice alongside mediation at any time.

Mediation fees

Mediate UK charges fixed, transparent fees, with no extra charge 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 mediation sessions are £120 plus VAT per person per hour. Most couples need two to four sessions, so the full cost is usually a fraction of a contested court case.

Legal Aid and the £500 voucher

Mediate UK holds a Legal Aid Agency contract for family mediation. If you qualify financially, your mediation may be free, based on your income, benefits and savings. Where one person qualifies, the MIAM and the first joint session are usually free for both people.

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. The voucher is not means-tested, so many families can use it.

Mediators, regulation and the team

Mediate UK's mediators are accredited by the Family Mediation Council, which sets the standards for family mediation in England and Wales, and all 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, and Belinda Atkins is Managing Director and Safeguarding Lead.

Awards, reviews and results

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 Mediate UK clients go on to reach an agreement, compared with 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

The Mediate UK guarantee

Mediate UK backs its service with a free replacement mediator guarantee. If you are not happy with your mediator after your MIAM, Mediate UK will arrange a free MIAM with a different mediator, at no extra cost.

Mediation and divorce

A divorce legally ends a marriage, while mediation settles the arrangements that go with it, so the two run separately and can happen at the same time. England and Wales use a no-fault divorce process, with a 20-week reflection period before the conditional order and a final order available 6 weeks and 1 day after the conditional order. A divorce usually takes around eight months overall, and Mediate UK provides information and guidance on the process.

When mediation may not be 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 safety, and exemptions can allow a court application without a MIAM. Mediation also relies on both people taking part willingly and being open about their finances. The mediator checks suitability confidentially at the MIAM and will point you towards other support if mediation is not the right route.

Contact Mediate UK

If you are separating or divorcing, Mediate UK can help you settle arrangements for your children, finances and property without going to court. Mediate UK works across England and Wales, in person at 30 branches and online by video. Book a MIAM online or call Mediate UK on 0330 999 0959.