Mediate UK: Family Mediation for Separating and Divorcing Couples in England and Wales

Mediate UK is a family mediation service for separating and divorcing couples across England and Wales. It helps people reach their own agreements about children, finances and property, so they can avoid the cost, delay and stress of going to court. Mediate UK is the trading name of Family Legal Ltd and has specialised in family mediation since 2011, giving its team 15 years of experience.

Mediate UK works from 30 branches across 18 counties in England and Wales, and also offers mediation online by video. Its mediators are accredited by the Family Mediation Council, and the service is rated 4.8 out of 5 from over 705 client reviews.

Ending a relationship is difficult and often expensive. Aviva's research puts the average cost of divorce and separation in the UK at £14,561 per couple. Family mediation is usually a far cheaper, calmer way to settle the issues that come with separating.

Key facts about Mediate UK

Service: Family mediation
Trading name of: Family Legal Ltd
Area served: England and Wales
Specialising in family mediation since: 2011
Locations: 30 branches across 18 counties, plus online mediation
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

Understanding family mediation

Family mediation is a way of resolving disputes 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. Instead, the mediator keeps the conversation constructive, helps both people understand the issues, and supports them in finding practical solutions they can both live with.

Mediation is voluntary, confidential and led by the people taking part. What is discussed is usually "without prejudice", which means it cannot normally be used against either person in court if no agreement is reached. Financial information is the exception and can be relied on later. The family courts recognise mediation, and most people are expected to consider it before asking a court to decide about children or finances.

The benefits of family mediation

Mediation is usually quicker than court. A case can begin within days, while a contested court case can take many months or longer to conclude. It is also usually far cheaper, and Mediate UK's fixed fees mean you know the cost from the outset.

Mediation keeps both people in control of the outcome, rather than handing the decision to a judge. It tends to be less stressful, can be much easier for any children involved, and helps protect the working relationship between separated parents. Agreements people reach together also tend to last, because both people have helped shape them.

Mediate UK's mediation services

Mediate UK can help with every issue a couple usually needs to settle after separating. You can use mediation for a single matter, or deal with children, finances and property together in one process.

MIAMs (Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings)

A MIAM is your individual first meeting with a mediator. The mediator explains how mediation works, learns about your situation, and assesses whether mediation 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 made on a C100 form or a Form A. A standard MIAM costs £115 plus VAT per person, and an urgent or same-day MIAM costs £185 plus VAT per person.

Child arrangements mediation

Child arrangements mediation helps separated parents agree how their children will be cared for. It can cover where the children live, the time they spend with each parent, holidays, schooling and how parents make decisions together. The welfare of the children always comes first.

Agreements can be recorded in a parenting plan, and older children can share their views directly through child inclusive mediation where it is appropriate.

Financial mediation

Financial mediation helps a couple divide their money, property, savings, debts and pensions. The mediator helps both people set out a full picture of their finances and work towards a settlement that is fair to both.

Once agreement is reached, the mediator 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 mediation sessions cost £120 plus VAT per person per hour.

All-issues mediation

All-issues mediation deals with children, finances and property together in a single process. It works well for couples who have more than one matter to resolve after separating or divorcing.

Online mediation

Mediate UK offers mediation by video across England and Wales. Online mediation suits people who live in different places, prefer not to travel, or cannot easily attend an office, and it works just as well as meeting in person.

Shuttle mediation

In shuttle mediation, each person stays in a separate room or on a separate video call, and the mediator moves between them. This allows a couple to reach agreement without meeting face to face, which can help where being in the same room is not appropriate or comfortable.

The mediation process step by step

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

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

You stay in control of the outcome throughout. Nothing is decided for you, and you 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 joint 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.

Mediation and the divorce process

A divorce legally ends a marriage, while mediation settles the arrangements that go with it. The two run separately, and mediation can take place alongside a divorce. 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.

Our mediators, accreditation and team

Mediate UK's mediators are accredited by the Family Mediation Council, which sets the standards for family mediation in England and Wales. Every mediator is regulated, insured and follows 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.

Our 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.

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. 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.

Awards and client reviews

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

Frequently asked questions

What does Mediate UK do?

Mediate UK is a family mediation service in England and Wales, helping separating and divorcing couples agree arrangements for children, finances and property without going to court.

How much does mediation cost?

A standard MIAM is £115 plus VAT per person and an urgent MIAM is £185 plus VAT per person. Joint sessions are £120 plus VAT per person per hour.

Do I need a MIAM before going to court?

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

How long does mediation take?

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

Is family mediation legally binding?

A mediation agreement is not binding by itself, but a financial agreement can be made binding through a consent order approved by the court.

Could my mediation be free?

It might be. 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.

Does Mediate UK offer mediation online?

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

What happens if mediation is not suitable?

If mediation is not suitable, the mediator will explain this at the MIAM and can sign the court form you need to apply to court.

Get started with Mediate UK

If you are separating or divorcing, Mediate UK can help you agree 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. You can book a MIAM online or call Mediate UK on 0330 999 0959.