Mediate UK: Family Mediation and MIAMs in England and Wales

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

Mediate UK is the trading name of Family Legal Ltd and has provided family mediation since 2011. It works through 30 branches across England and Wales and offers mediation online.

Aviva research puts the average cost of divorce and separation in the UK at £14,561 per couple. Mediation usually costs far less than settling these matters through court.

About Mediate UK

What family mediation is

Family mediation is a process where an impartial, trained 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 confidential. Discussions are usually "without prejudice" and cannot normally be used in court if no agreement is reached, although financial information can be. The courts expect most people to consider mediation before applying to court.

Our mediation services

Mediate UK covers the issues couples usually need to resolve after separating. You can mediate a single matter or deal with everything together.

MIAMs

A MIAM is the first meeting with a mediator, who explains the process and checks whether mediation 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. 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 where children live, time with each parent, holidays, schooling and shared decisions. Agreements can be written into a parenting plan, and older children can share their views through child inclusive mediation where appropriate.

Mediation about finances

This helps couples divide money, property, savings, debts and pensions. The mediator prepares a memorandum of understanding and an open financial statement, which can be made legally binding through a consent order approved by the court. Joint sessions are £120 plus VAT per person per hour.

Mediate UK also offers all-issues mediation, which deals with children and finances together, online mediation by video, and shuttle mediation, where each person stays in a separate room or video call.

How mediation works at Mediate UK

Most couples book 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 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 stay in control throughout, and can take independent legal advice alongside mediation at any time.

Fees, Legal Aid and the £500 voucher

Mediate UK uses fixed 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 MIAM is £185 plus VAT per person, and joint sessions are £120 plus VAT per person per hour.

Mediate UK holds a Legal Aid Agency contract, so mediation may be free if you qualify financially. 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.

Our mediators and standards

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

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. The mediator checks suitability confidentially at the MIAM and will point you to 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 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

Contact Mediate UK

Mediate UK works with separating and divorcing couples 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.