Find a mediator · Belfast
Family mediation in Belfast
For family mediation in Belfast, Family Mediation NI coordinates appointments across Northern Ireland from its Belfast office, and it is free for separated parents not yet in court proceedings[1][2]. There is no MIAM in Northern Ireland: that rule is for England and Wales[3]. The Belfast family court offices are at Laganside Courts, Oxford Street[4].
Northern Ireland: family law here is different from England and Wales. MIAMs, the C100 and the FMC register are England and Wales only. This page uses Northern Ireland sources only.
Beta Beta service. Always check with official government websites.
Last reviewed Sources checked
01/ Mediators
Family mediation services in Belfast
The Family Mediation Council register and the MIAM rules cover England and Wales only. In Northern Ireland, use the service finder below to see the family mediation services for your area.[1]
02/ Belfast family court
Laganside Courts: the Belfast family court
The Northern Ireland court offices list Laganside Courts, Oxford Street, Belfast BT1 3LL, with offices for Belfast Family Proceedings, the Belfast Family Care Centre and the magistrates' and Crown courts[4]. The Royal Courts of Justice, Chichester Street, Belfast BT1 3JF, include the Matrimonial Office[4].
Northern Ireland has three tiers of family court: the Family Proceedings Court, at magistrates' court level, where a district judge usually sits with two lay panel members; the Family Care Centre, at county court level; and the Family Division of the High Court[6]. Most applications about children start in the Family Proceedings Court and can move up if the case is complex[6].
03/ If you cannot agree
Applying to court about your children
If you cannot agree arrangements yourselves, nidirect describes two routes: ask a family mediator to help, as mediation may be less costly and stressful than court, or apply for a residence or contact order and let a family court decide[7].
Cases about children are decided under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995[6]. An application for a residence, contact, prohibited steps or specific issue order (an "Article 8 order") starts on Form C1, and anyone alleging domestic violence also completes Form C1AA[6]. The child's welfare is the court's paramount consideration, and it makes an order only if that is better for the child than no order[6].
04/ Only in Belfast
The Early Resolution Forum
Since 6 May 2026, a judge-led Early Resolution Forum has sat at Laganside Court one day a month for private law Children Order cases in the Family Proceedings Court, starting with Belfast cases only[5]. The judge decides at the First Directions Hearing whether a case is suitable; cases with allegations of domestic abuse or violence are not[5].
Court Children's Officers support the Forum, discussions are confidential except where a child's safety requires otherwise, and no costs are ordered between the parties[5]. If you agree, the agreement is written up as a draft order you both sign, for the Family Proceedings Court to consider[5].
05/ Paying for it
Free pre-court mediation
nidirect says separating parents can use a free pre-court family mediation service, available through Family Mediation NI and Barnardos[8]. Family Mediation NI is contracted by the Department of Health to provide it to separated parents who are not in the courts, in all five Health and Social Care Trust areas[1].
The funded service covers individual assessment appointments, preparation if needed, around 4 joint appointments, a parenting plan or mediated agreement, and direct consultation with your child where that is assessed as right[2]. Mediation about finances and property is not funded by the Department of Health and is paid for by the clients[9]. Outside the funded service, the cost depends on the number of sessions, the number of people and how complex the case is[2].
06/ What to expect
How Family Mediation NI works
Mediation is voluntary and nobody can be made to take part[10]. More on what mediation is.
- Both of you contact Family Mediation NI to book an individual pre-mediation information and assessment meeting, where a mediator checks whether mediation suits your situation[9].
- Joint sessions are arranged only after both of you have had an individual appointment and agreed to go ahead[10].
- On average there are four joint sessions to work out a co-parenting plan or a full mediated agreement[9].
- In child-inclusive mediation, a second mediator trained to talk with children brings agreed feedback into your sessions[9].
07/ Already in court
Mediation once a case has started
The free pre-court service is for parents who have not yet started court proceedings[2]. Once a case has started, court-directed family mediation is funded by legal aid or paid for by the participants[8]. Family Mediation NI's services include court referred and social services referred family mediation[11].
08/ Parental responsibility
Who has parental responsibility in Northern Ireland
A child's mother always has parental responsibility[12]. A father has it if he was married to the mother at the time of the birth, or if he is named on the birth certificate of a child born on or after 15 April 2002[12]. Otherwise he can get it by agreement in a prescribed form or by court order, and a court that makes a residence order for a father without it must also make a parental responsibility order[12].
09/ If you are worried about safety
Telling the mediator first
If you are worried about meeting your ex-partner, for example because of abuse, harassment or intimidation, Family Mediation NI asks you to tell it before your first appointment[10]. Mediation is confidential, except where a crime against a child is alleged, someone is at serious risk of harm, or criminal or fraudulent activity is alleged[10].
10/ Outside Belfast
Family mediation across Northern Ireland
Family Mediation NI covers all of Northern Ireland: its Belfast office coordinates appointments in towns across the region, and you can refer yourself or be referred by a GP, health visitor, school or social worker[1]. It merged with the charity Relate NI in November 2024, and family mediation continues at venues throughout Northern Ireland[11].
If a case goes to court outside Belfast, the Lisburn court office deals with family proceedings for Lisburn, family care courts sit at Armagh, and Londonderry (Derry) courthouse deals with family proceedings for Londonderry and Magherafelt[13]. For Scotland, see family mediation in Glasgow.
11/ Lawyers and mediation
Mediation and solicitors
A mediator does not give legal advice, and the agreement you reach in Family Mediation NI is not legally binding[10]. You can see a solicitor before and after you reach agreement, including to make joint proposals legally binding[10].
Some barristers also mediate: Family Support NI says family mediation barristers are listed in the Barrister Mediation Services Directory[14]. If your case is already in court, legal aid may fund court-directed mediation[8].
12/ Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is family mediation free in Belfast?
Do I need a MIAM in Northern Ireland?
Where is the family court in Belfast?
Is there family mediation elsewhere in Northern Ireland?
Do I need a solicitor for mediation?
13/ Sources
Sources we checked
- Family Mediation NI (available across NI) — Family Support NI, Department of Health
- FAQs: how can I access the funded mediation service? — Family Mediation NI · How can I access the funded mediation service? — Family Mediation NI
- Children and Families Act 2014, section 10 — legislation.gov.uk
- Information on our court offices — Department of Justice NI
- Early Resolution Forum: guidance for practitioners (FPC), 14 May 2026 — Judiciary NI
- A Handbook on Family Law relating to children in Northern Ireland (July 2023) — Judiciary NI
- Attending family courts — nidirect
- Family mediation — nidirect
- What is the process of mediation? — Family Mediation NI
- FAQs — Family Mediation NI
- Family mediation — Relate NI · Relate NI and Family Mediation NI merger — Family Mediation NI
- A Handbook on Family Law relating to children in Northern Ireland: parental responsibility — Judiciary NI
- Information on our court offices: Lisburn, Armagh and Londonderry — Department of Justice NI
- Separating families — Family Support NI, Department of Health
Miam · AI preparation assistant
Walk into your MIAM ready
Talk or type it through with Miam: what matters most to you, what you can agree on, and what to ask the mediator. Miam prepares you. An authorised mediator runs the MIAM and signs the form.