Mediation Services UK | Find Professional Mediators

What Are Mediation Services?

Mediation services provide professional, impartial support to help people resolve disputes without going to court. A trained mediator facilitates discussions between parties to reach mutually acceptable agreements.

Mediation services in the UK cover:

• Family mediation - Divorce, separation, child arrangements
• Workplace mediation - Employment disputes, team conflicts
• Civil/commercial mediation - Business disputes, neighbour conflicts
• Community mediation - Local disputes, anti-social behaviour

Types of Mediation Services UK

Family Mediation Services

| Service Type | What It Covers | Typical Cost | |--------------|----------------|-------------| | MIAM | Initial assessment meeting | £100-£150 | | Child-focused mediation | Contact, living arrangements, holidays | £100-£150/session | | All-issues mediation | Children, finances, property combined | £120-£200/session | | Financial mediation | Assets, pensions, maintenance | £150-£250/session | | Shuttle mediation | Parties in separate rooms | Similar to standard |

Workplace Mediation Services

• Conflict between colleagues
• Grievance resolution
• Team dysfunction
• Return-to-work after disputes
• Discrimination/harassment allegations

Civil & Commercial Mediation

• Contract disputes
• Property/boundary issues
• Professional negligence
• Inheritance disputes
• Business partnership conflicts

How to Choose Mediation Services

For Family Disputes

Essential criteria:

• ✅ FMC accreditation - Required for court-valid MIAMs
• ✅ Legal aid availability - If you qualify financially
• ✅ Location convenience - In-person or online options
• ✅ Specialist experience - Complex finances, domestic abuse awareness

For Workplace Disputes

Look for:

• ACAS training or equivalent
• HR/employment law background
• Experience with your industry
• Organisation-wide vs individual mediation capability

For Civil Matters

Consider:

• CMC (Civil Mediation Council) accreditation
• Subject matter expertise
• Court-referred mediator panels
• Appropriate seniority for case value

Mediation Services Providers UK

National Family Mediation Services

| Provider | Coverage | Legal Aid | Specialism | |----------|----------|-----------|------------| | National Family Mediation | England & Wales | ✅ Yes | Family - not-for-profit network | | Family Mediators Association | England & Wales | ✅ Some | Family - independent mediators | | Resolution | England & Wales | ✅ Some | Solicitor-mediators | | Relate | UK-wide | ✅ Some | Relationship focus |

Workplace & Civil Mediation Services

| Provider | Focus | Coverage | |----------|-------|----------| | ACAS | Workplace disputes | UK-wide (free service) | | CEDR | Commercial/civil | UK-wide | | Clerksroom | Civil/commercial | England & Wales | | In Place of Strife | Workplace | UK-wide |

Mediation Services Costs

Family Mediation

MIAM only:           £100-£150 per person
Per session:         £100-£250 (split between parties)
Typical total:       £500-£2,000 for complete mediation
With legal aid:      FREE if eligible
Voucher scheme:      £500 contribution towards costs

Workplace Mediation

Half-day mediation:  £500-£1,500
Full-day mediation:  £1,000-£3,000
ACAS conciliation:   FREE (early conciliation)

Civil/Commercial Mediation

Small claims:        £300-£600
Fast track:          £600-£2,000
Multi-track:         £1,500-£5,000+
High value:          £3,000-£10,000+ per day

What Mediation Services Include

Before Mediation

• Initial contact - Understand your situation
• Intake assessment - Suitability screening
• Domestic abuse screening - Safety checks (family mediation)
• Information provision - Explain the process and costs

During Mediation

• Neutral facilitation - Mediator guides discussion
• Agenda setting - Identify issues to resolve
• Option generation - Explore possible solutions
• Reality testing - Consider practicality of proposals
• Agreement drafting - Document what's agreed

After Mediation

• Memorandum of understanding - Written summary of agreements
• Legal review - Recommendation to get solicitor advice
• Consent order - Making agreements legally binding (family)
• Follow-up - Some services offer review sessions

Finding Mediation Services Near You

Online Directories

| Directory | Best For | Link | |-----------|----------|------| | FMC Find a Mediator | Family mediation | familymediationcouncil.org.uk | | CMC Directory | Civil/commercial | civilmediation.org | | ACAS | Workplace | acas.org.uk | | NFM Locator | Family (legal aid) | nfm.org.uk |

By Region

London & South East:

• Family Mediation London
• Surrey Mediation Services
• Kent Mediation Services

Midlands:

• Family Mediation Birmingham

North:

• Family Mediation Manchester
• Family Mediation Leeds
• Family Mediation Liverpool
• Family Mediation Newcastle

South West:

• Family Mediation Bristol

Scotland:

• Family Mediation Edinburgh
• Family Mediation Glasgow

Wales:

• Family Mediation Cardiff
• Family Mediation Swansea

Mediation Services vs Other Options

| Option | Cost | Time | Control | Privacy | |--------|------|------|---------|--------| | Mediation | ££ | Weeks | High | High | | Solicitor negotiation | £££ | Months | Medium | Medium | | Arbitration | £££ | Months | Low | High | | Court | ££££ | 6-18 months | Low | Low |

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mediation services legally binding?

Mediation itself produces agreements, not legally binding orders. However, family mediation agreements can be made into consent orders through the court. Workplace mediation often results in settlement agreements that are binding.

Do both parties have to agree to mediation?

Mediation is voluntary. Both parties must agree to participate. For family court applications, you must attend a MIAM (which is individual), but the other party can't be forced to mediate.

How long do mediation services take?

A typical family mediation case takes 3-5 sessions over 6-12 weeks. Workplace mediation is often completed in one day. Civil mediation typically takes one day for the actual mediation after preparation.

Can I get free mediation services?

Family mediation: Free with legal aid if eligible, plus the £500 voucher scheme for child-related disputes. Workplace: ACAS early conciliation is free. Civil: Small claims mediation through courts is free.

Next Steps

1. Identify your dispute type - Family, workplace, or civil
2. Check eligibility for free services - Legal aid or voucher scheme
3. Find accredited mediators - Use the appropriate directory above
4. Book an initial consultation - Usually free or low-cost

---

Official Resources

For authoritative information on mediation services:

Mediation Bodies

• Civil Mediation Council - Civil/commercial mediation
• Family Mediation Council - Family mediation
• National Family Mediation - Family mediation services
• Resolution - Family law professionals

Government Guidance

• GOV.UK - Mediation - Family MIAM guidance
• GOV.UK - Civil Disputes - Civil mediation
• Family Mediation Voucher - £500 support
• Legal Aid Calculator - Eligibility check

Workplace Mediation

• ACAS - Employment disputes
• CIPD - HR guidance

Support

• Citizens Advice - Free guidance
• AdviceNow - Plain English guides

What mediation services are available in the UK?

Main providers include National Family Mediation (NFM), Resolution mediators, and independent FMC-accredited practices. All must meet the same FMC standards.

How do I choose between mediation services?

Consider location, cost, availability, and specialism. Check reviews and ensure FMC accreditation. Many offer free initial phone consultations.

Are all mediation services the same quality?

All FMC-accredited mediators meet the same professional standards. However, experience levels and specialisms vary. Some focus on high-conflict cases or complex finances.

Can I switch mediation services?

Yes, though starting again may mean additional costs. If you are unhappy with your mediator, discuss concerns first or ask for a different mediator within the same service.