Mediate UK: Accredited Family Mediation Across England and Wales

Mediate UK is an accredited family mediation service working across England and Wales. It helps separating and divorcing couples agree their own arrangements for children, finances and property, without going to court.

Mediate UK is the trading name of Family Legal Ltd and has specialised in family mediation since 2011. With 15 years of experience, it works from 30 branches across England and Wales and also mediates 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 dealing with the same issues through the courts.

Key details about Mediate UK

Service: Family mediation
Legal entity: Family Legal Ltd, trading as Mediate UK
Area served: England and Wales
In operation since: 2011
Locations: 30 branches across 18 counties, plus online mediation
Regulator: Family Mediation Council
Help with fees: 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 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 answers.

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 relied on later. The family courts recognise mediation, and most people are expected to consider it before applying to court.

Family mediation services from Mediate UK

Mediate UK covers every issue a couple usually needs to settle after separating. You can mediate one matter or deal with children, finances and property at the same time.

The MIAM (your first appointment)

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.

Arrangements for children

Mediation about children 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.

Money, property and pensions

Financial mediation 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. The 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.

Resolving everything at once

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

Mediation over video

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

Mediation in separate rooms

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.

Why mediation works well

Mediation is usually faster than court, often starting within days rather than the many months a contested case can take. It is usually cheaper, and Mediate UK's fixed fees make the cost clear from the start.

Mediation is usually less stressful and keeps both people in control of the result. It can also be better for children, and agreements reached this way tend to last because both people have helped shape them.

What to expect, step by step

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.

You attend your MIAM, your individual first meeting with a mediator.
The mediator confirms whether mediation is safe and suitable.
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 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.
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.

Fees

Mediate UK charges fixed, transparent fees. 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. There is no extra charge for out-of-hours appointments, and you do not need to prove your income to use the private service.

Reducing or removing the cost

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.

Mediation alongside 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.

Qualifications, 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. 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.

Cases where mediation is not appropriate

Mediation is not suitable for every case. It may not be appropriate 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. The mediator checks this confidentially at the MIAM and will point you towards other support if mediation is not the right route.

Recognition 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 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

Questions people often ask

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 it 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.

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.

How many sessions will I need?

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

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.

Can mediation take place online?

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

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.

What 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.

Getting in touch

If you are separating or divorcing, Mediate UK can help you agree arrangements for your children, finances and property without going to court, across England and Wales in person and online. You can book a MIAM online or call Mediate UK on 0330 999 0959.