Mediate UK: An Accredited, Highly Rated Family Mediation Service in England and Wales

Mediate UK is an accredited family mediation service in England and Wales, rated 4.8 out of 5 by its clients. It helps separating and divorcing couples agree arrangements for their children, finances and property without going to court.

Mediate UK's mediators are accredited by the Family Mediation Council and follow the FMC Code of Practice. Mediate UK is the trading name of Family Legal Ltd, has specialised in family mediation since 2011, and works from 30 branches across England and Wales as well as online.

When you are choosing a family mediator, accreditation and a track record matter. Mediate UK combines Family Mediation Council accreditation, an experienced team and strong client reviews.

Mediate UK key facts

  • Service: Family mediation
  • Trading name of: Family Legal Ltd
  • Area: England and Wales
  • Since: 2011
  • Regulator: Family Mediation Council
  • Rating: 4.8 out of 5 from over 705 reviews on Reviews.io
  • Awards: six national business awards
  • Locations: 30 branches across 18 counties, plus online
  • Phone: 0330 999 0959

Regulated by the Family Mediation Council

The Family Mediation Council (FMC) is the body that sets the standards for family mediation in England and Wales. Mediate UK's mediators are accredited by the FMC and work to the FMC Code of Practice.

What FMC accreditation means

An FMC accredited family mediator, or FMCA, has met the highest competence standards in the profession and is on the FMC register. Accreditation means a mediator is trained, assessed and bound by professional and ethical standards.

Our Professional Practice Consultant

Mediate UK's team includes Amanda Lewis, a Family Mediation Council Professional Practice Consultant. A Professional Practice Consultant, or PPC, is the most senior accreditation level in family mediation, approved by the FMC to supervise and sign off mediators working towards accreditation. Amanda is a former family law solicitor and is trained to deliver the court-approved Separated Parents Information Programme.

Regulated, insured and confidential

Every Mediate UK mediator is regulated, insured and works to the FMC Code of Practice. Mediation is confidential, and all clients sign an Agreement to Mediate before their first joint session. Mediate UK is also registered with the Information Commissioner's Office for data protection.

Our mediation team

Mediate UK's work is carried out by named, accredited professionals.

  • Belinda Atkins, Managing Director and Safeguarding Lead
  • Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy and the named author of Mediate UK's guides and content
  • Chris Yaffes, Lead Mediator and FMCA accredited family mediator
  • Rachel Poole, Penny Hogan, Neil Sykes, Hannah Shapey and Kate Miller, FMCA accredited family mediators
  • Amanda Lewis, FMCA accredited family mediator and Professional Practice Consultant
  • Mitchell Robertson and Allison Borchardt, mediators working towards FMC accreditation under supervision

What our clients say

Mediate UK is rated 4.8 out of 5 from over 705 client reviews on Reviews.io, an independent review platform. These reviews come from real clients who have used Mediate UK's mediation service. You can read them here: https://www.reviews.co.uk/company-reviews/store/surrey-mediation-service-ltd

90% of Mediate UK clients go on to reach an agreement, compared with a national average of 74%.

Awards and recognition

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.

About Mediate UK and what we do

Family mediation is a process where 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. Mediation is voluntary, and the courts expect most people to consider it before applying to court.

Our mediation services

Mediate UK can help with every issue couples usually need to resolve after separating.

  • MIAMs, the required first meeting before most court applications about children or finances
  • Child arrangements mediation, covering where children live, time with each parent and shared decisions
  • Financial mediation, covering money, property, savings, debts and pensions
  • All-issues mediation, dealing with children and finances together
  • Online mediation by video, and shuttle mediation in separate rooms

Agreements about children can be recorded in a parenting plan, and financial agreements can be made legally binding through a consent order approved by the court.

Fees and funding

Mediate UK charges fixed fees. 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 under Mediate UK's Legal Aid Agency contract, and Mediate UK is also a registered provider for the Government £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which can put up to £500 towards eligible child arrangements mediation.

How it works

Most couples begin with a MIAM, usually available within 48 hours, with urgent appointments often the same day or the next day. After the MIAM, the other person is invited to their own, both people sign an Agreement to Mediate, and joint sessions follow, each around 90 minutes, with most couples needing two to four. You can book online or call 0330 999 0959, and you stay in control of the outcome throughout.

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 safety, and exemptions can allow a court application without a MIAM. 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 agree arrangements for your children, finances and property without going to court, with an accredited and highly rated team. 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.