Mediate UK: Helping Families Separate and Divorce Without Court in England and Wales

Mediate UK is a family mediation service that helps families across England and Wales separate and divorce without going to court. Couples work with Mediate UK to agree their own arrangements for children, finances and property, rather than leaving those decisions to a judge.

Mediate UK is the trading name of Family Legal Ltd and has specialised in family mediation since 2011, with 15 years of experience. It operates from 30 branches across England and Wales and also mediates online by video.

Separation is hard enough without a long, costly court case. Aviva's research puts the average cost of divorce and separation in the UK at £14,561 per couple, and mediation is usually a calmer and far cheaper alternative.

Mediate UK key facts

  • 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

How family mediation works

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 keeps the conversation productive and helps both people find practical solutions.

Mediation is voluntary and confidential. What is discussed is usually "without prejudice", so it cannot normally be used in court if no agreement is reached, although financial information can be relied on later. The family courts recognise mediation, and most people are expected to consider it before applying to court.

What Mediate UK can help with

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

MIAMs (Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings)

A MIAM is your individual first meeting with a mediator, who 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.

Child arrangements mediation

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 children's welfare comes first. Agreements can be recorded in a parenting plan, and older children can give their views through child inclusive mediation where appropriate.

Financial mediation

This 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 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 deals with children, finances and property together in one process, for couples with more than one matter to resolve.

Online mediation

Mediate UK offers mediation by video across England and Wales, which suits people who live apart, prefer not to travel, or cannot easily reach an office.

Shuttle mediation

In shuttle mediation, each person stays in a separate room or video call while the mediator moves between them, so a couple can reach agreement without meeting face to face.

The steps involved

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.

Why families choose mediation

Mediation is usually faster than court, often starting within days rather than the many months a contested case can take, and it is usually far cheaper. It keeps both people in control of the result, tends to be less stressful, and can be much easier for children. Agreements reached this way also tend to last, because both people have helped shape them.

Fees and financial help

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 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 where one person qualifies the MIAM and 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.

Accreditation and the Mediate UK 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.

Our free replacement mediator 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 getting divorced

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 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.

Awards and 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 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

Common 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.

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.

Talk to 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. Book a MIAM online or call Mediate UK on 0330 999 0959.