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Mediation · services

Family mediation services: what they offer

Family mediation services help separating parents work out arrangements for children and money with an independent, trained mediator, without going to court[1]. Most start with a MIAM, then mediation sessions in person or online[2][3]. Family mediation services on the FMC register follow its Code of Practice[4], and only accredited mediators can sign court forms[5].

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Typical MIAM, each[6]
Mediation, per person per hour[7]
Mediation voucher[8]
MIAM if either of you gets legal aid[9]

01/ What they offer

What a family mediation service offers

Services vary: the FMC suggests asking a provider whether they can help with children and finances, what it will cost, how long it will take and whether they can involve your children[13]. See the table for the options official guidance describes.

What a family mediation service can offer
ServiceWhat it is
MIAMA first meeting, about an hour, to tell the mediator about your situation; at the end they say whether mediation suits your case[2]
Mediation sessionsAn independent mediator helps you both work out arrangements for children and finances[1]
Child-inclusive mediationIf it is suitable, a mediator can talk to your child about what they want[3]
Separate rooms (shuttle)You do not have to be in the same room or call as the other parent[3]
Online or phoneSessions can be in person or remote, for example by video or phone[3]
Legal aid mediationFree if you qualify; only FMCA mediators can do legal aid work[9][14]

Mediation is not relationship counselling[3]. See shuttle mediation and children in mediation.

02/ What it covers

What mediation can cover

Under the FMC Code of Practice, mediation can cover arrangements for children, the family home and other property, pensions, child and spousal maintenance, and debts[14]. It can also help later, when arrangements you made earlier need to change[1].

If you reach an agreement, you get a document at the end showing what you agreed[15]. To make it legally binding, GOV.UK says to hire a solicitor to draft a consent order for the court to review[15]. See consent orders.

03/ Who provides them

Who provides family mediation services

"Family mediator" is not a protected title: registration with the Family Mediation Council is voluntary, and anyone can call themselves a family mediator[16]. The FMC lists its members as the College of Mediators, the Family Mediators Association, National Family Mediation and Resolution[17].

Under the FMC Code of Practice, a mediator must either hold FMC accreditation (FMCA) or have completed approved training and be registered as working towards it, and must belong to an FMC member organisation[14]. Whoever runs the service, you can check each mediator on the public FMC register[18].

Only an FMCA mediator can sign the court form to say you attended a MIAM[5]. If you may go to court, you can filter the register for mediators qualified to sign court forms[19].

04/ Mediator or solicitor

Mediator or solicitor: who does what

A mediator is neutral as to the outcome: they can explain possible courses of action and their legal implications, but must make clear they are not giving advice[20]. A solicitor gives you legal advice and represents only you[21].

The mediator and the solicitor
MediatorSolicitor
Whose sideNeither: neutral as to the outcome[20]Yours
Legal adviceGives information, not advice[20]Advises you, including before a final agreement[22]
In the roomRuns the sessions; lawyers are commonly not present[22]Can be invited if you both agree and the mediator thinks it appropriate[22]
After agreementGives you a document of what you agreed[15]Drafts a consent order to make it binding[15]

The mediator must tell you it is in your interests to take independent legal advice before any final agreement[22]. Other routes, such as solicitor negotiation or collaborative law, are set out on GOV.UK[23]; see mediation vs court.

05/ Cost

What family mediation services cost

A MIAM typically costs £120–£150 per person[6]. The FMC's guide for mediation sessions is £130–£170 per person per hour, including drafting documents[7]. The fees are set out in a written agreement before mediation starts[22].

If either of you qualifies for legal aid, the MIAM is free[9]; if both of you qualify, legal aid also covers the sessions and applying for a consent order[15]. For disputes about children, a voucher of up to £500 can go towards sessions but not the MIAM[8][24]. More on mediation cost and legal aid mediation.

06/ Safety

When mediation is not safe

Mediators assess safety at the MIAM, including all kinds of domestic abuse, and must not mediate where it is not safe or suitable[25]. If mediation goes ahead, they consider safeguards such as separate arrival times and rooms[26].

If mediation is not suitable, you show the judge why on the court form[27]. See when mediation is not suitable and domestic abuse support.

07/ Choosing

How to choose a service

  • Check the register. Search by postcode, or look a mediator up by name or URN[19][28].
  • Court forms. If you may apply to court, filter for mediators qualified to sign court forms[19].
  • Legal aid. Filter for legal-aid-funded mediation, or use the government's legal aid finder[19][29].
  • Children. Filter for mediators qualified to see children in mediation[30].
  • Fees. Ask for them in writing; they go in the agreement you sign[22].
  • Complaints. Ask how the service handles complaints: FMC-registered mediators offer access to a complaints process[4]. If that process does not resolve it, the FMC's standards board can consider a complaint about a registered mediator[31].

To search near you, see family mediation near me; for one of the FMC's member bodies, see National Family Mediation.

08/ Questions

Frequently asked questions

What do family mediation services offer?

A MIAM, then mediation sessions about children and money, in person or remotely; some offer child-inclusive mediation[2][3].

Does a mediator give legal advice?

No. A mediator can explain options and their legal implications but must make clear they are not giving advice[20], and must tell you to take independent legal advice before a final agreement[22].

Do I need a solicitor as well as a mediator?

Not to mediate. To make an agreement legally binding, GOV.UK says to hire a solicitor to draft a consent order[15].

Can my solicitor come to mediation?

Mediation is commonly held without lawyers, but solicitors can be invited if you both agree and the mediator thinks it appropriate[22].

Is mediation compulsory?

No. Mediation is voluntary and anyone can withdraw[20]. Before most court applications you must attend a MIAM, which is not the same as mediation[32][2].

Who can provide family mediation?

Anyone can call themselves a family mediator[4]. Under the FMC Code of Practice, a mediator on its register must hold FMC accreditation, or have completed approved training and be registered as working towards it, and must belong to an FMC member organisation[14].

09/ Sources

Sources we checked

  1. What is family mediation? — Family Mediation Council
  2. What is a MIAM? — Family Mediation Council
  3. Make an agreement through mediation — GOV.UK
  4. Why choose an FMC registered mediator? — Family Mediation Council
  5. What is a MIAM? — Family Mediation Council
  6. GOV.UK — mediation · FMC State of Family Mediation 2025 (PDF)
  7. FMC — What does mediation cost?
  8. GOV.UK — Family Mediation Voucher Scheme · GOV.UK news, May 2026
  9. GOV.UK — mediation
  10. FMC MIAM Standards (Aug 2022) PDF
  11. GOV.UK — mediation · FPR r3.9
  12. FPR Part 3, r3.8(1)(d)
  13. Guide to non-court dispute resolution options (v1.2) — Family Mediation Council
  14. Code of Practice for Family Mediators (v1.5, August 2025) — Family Mediation Council
  15. Make an agreement through mediation — GOV.UK
  16. The State of Family Mediation 2025 — Family Mediation Council
  17. About us — Family Mediation Council
  18. FMC Registration — Family Mediation Council
  19. Find your local mediator — Family Mediation Council
  20. Code of Practice for Family Mediators (v1.5, August 2025) — Family Mediation Council
  21. Family mediation (June 2024) — Advicenow
  22. Code of Practice for Family Mediators (v1.5, August 2025) — Family Mediation Council
  23. Other ways to agree without going to court — GOV.UK
  24. GOV.UK — mediation · FMC — Mediation vouchers
  25. Standards for MIAMs (August 2022) — Family Mediation Council
  26. Good Practice Guidance for MIAMs, July 2024 — Family Mediation Council
  27. When mediation might not be suitable — Family Mediation Council
  28. Find your local mediator — Family Mediation Council
  29. Find a legal aid adviser or family mediator — GOV.UK
  30. Find your local mediator — Family Mediation Council
  31. Complaints processes and learnings — Family Mediation Council
  32. legislation.gov.uk — CFA 2014 s10

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