Frequently Asked Questions
Family mediation is a voluntary process where an independent, trained family mediator helps separating or separated couples make arrangements about children, finances, and property without going to court. Mediation focuses on practical solutions and future planning.
✦ Book a MIAM to find out whether family mediation is right for you.
Family mediation can help with a whole range of issues but these are some of the most common:
child(ren) arrangements and parenting plans
communication and co-parenting
financial arrangements after separation
property, housing, and future planning
With our help, you decide together which issues to address, and in what order.
The costs of family mediation are typically shared, with each person covering their own fee. However, if agreeable to both, one person can choose to cover the cost. This does not affect the mediators neutrality and payment will not give either person more influence over the process or outcome.
Overall costs depend on the number and length of sessions. Please see our fees page for details.
We do not hold a Legal Aid contract and cannot provide Legally Aided mediation. At the MIAM we can carry out an initial, indicative check of Legal Aid eligibility but please note that this meeting cost cannot be refunded. If it appears you may qualify, we will help you find a Legal Aid family mediation provider to continue the process with you.
A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is an initial meeting with a family mediator. During the MIAM we explain how mediation works and look at whether mediation is suitable and safe for your situation.
In most cases, a MIAM is required before applying to the family court.
✦ Contact us to book a MIAM
Mediation is voluntary, which means the other person cannot be forced to attend.
Where possible, and to give mediation a genuine chance, we will usually invite the other person to attend a MIAM and allow reasonable time for this before completing any court certificate.
Mediation can only proceed where both people have had the chance to attend a MIAM and agree to take part. If the other person chooses not to attend their MIAM or does not respond, mediation cannot continue as a joint process.
If you then decide to apply to court, you can ask us to complete the MIAM certificate section of the court application so that your case can move forward.
A MIAM certificate can be requested within four months of the date of your MIAM. Please see our costs page for further details.
✦ Contact us to book a MIAM
Even where full agreement isn’t reached, mediation can still make a meaningful difference. Progress depends on both people engaging with the process, and mediation may not always be suitable for every issue.
Nevertheless, partial agreements and interim arrangements can help reduce conflict, clarify day-to-day arrangements, and narrow the issues, providing a helpful foundation for future decisions.
Drawing on our experience, we can often help identify potential weak points or practical issues that may not be immediately obvious, supporting you to reach arrangements that are clear, workable, and more likely to stand the test of time.
There is no requirement to have a solicitor during mediation, but we recommend you seek independent legal advice alongside the process. This is particularly significatnt if you plan to make any significant financial decisions legally binding, such as submitting a consent order during a divorce.
At the end of mediation , we prepare a detailed summary of what has been agreed. This is called a Memorandum of Understanding. If relevant, we may also create an Open Financial Statement (see costs for details).
These documents reflect your joint decisions. You can then ask the court to approve them.
The consent order is sent to the family court for approval. Usually neither person needs to attend court.
Once approved it becomes legally binding.
Family mediation is not suitable in every situation and will be explored carefully during the MIAM. If mediation is not appropriate, other options will be discussed, such as ‘shuttle mediation’ where you and the other person meet in separate spaces. We can even make this work for online meetings and we ‘shuttle’ between you. Your safety and wellbeing come first.
✦ Contact us to find out if mediation is right for you
Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) is not currently offered directly from The Mediation Hub. However, when appropriate, we can look into co-mediating with a specialist mediator. This is always assessed carefully and only offered where suitable.
We understand that factors such as shift work or travel can make mediating during standard working hours difficult. Mediation can only work if a suitable time can be found for everyone to attend.
As most mediations are conducted online, for a slightly higher fee, and subject to availability, we do our best to offer some evening and weekend meeting options.
At The Mediation Hub, we aim to support you in reaching agreements that everyone can live with.
✦ Please contact us to discuss options.
A family mediator remains neutral and helps you:
structure discussions
identify the issues that need decisions
explore realistic options
stay focused on workable outcomes
The mediator does not take sides or give legal advice.
This depends on the issues involved and varies from case to case. Many people find that clear outcomes can be reached within 2–5 mediation sessions. We can space the sessions to suit you and your specific circumstances.
Some cases resolve more quickly, while others take longer. For example, where financial disclosure is needed or information such as pension valuations from scheme administrators is still being gathered. Mediation is a flexible and tailored process, which moves at a pace that works for you.
No. We do not offer Legal Aid as we do not hold a contract with the Legal Aid Agency.
It can be helpful to understand that Legal Aid for mediation is entirely separate from Legal Aid for solicitors, and can only be fully assessed by a mediator who holds a Legal Aid contract.
If you think you may be eligible, you may wish to contact a Legal Aid family mediation provider before booking. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to talk this through with you and, where appropriate, signpost you to a provider who can carry out a full assessment.
Please note that MIAM fees are not refundable if you later discover that you may have been eligible for Legal Aid through another provider
✦ Please contact us if you would like to discuss fees, book a MIAM or have any other questions.
If you are in dispute with your former partner (or another relevant person), you (or they) may be considering making an application to the court. Before most family court applications can be made, you are usually required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
The MIAM explains what mediation involves and helps you consider if mediation could be used to resolve issues without the need for court proceedings.
Attending a MIAM does not mean you must go on to joint mediation, it simply confirms that mediation has been explored. The court generally expects both people have the opportunity to consider mediation before an application can proceed.
Mediation is voluntary. It can only go ahead if it’s suitable and everyone is willing to take part. If joint mediation cannot continue for any reason, you can explore other ways to resolve issues such as alternative non-court dispute resolution processes, or court, where appropriate
Yes. Family mediation is confidential.
Mediation is a without prejudice process which means that what is discussed in mediation meetings cannot be used as evidence in court.
Recording of sessions is strictly prohibited. This supports trust, openness, and the ability to explore options safely.
There are limited exceptions to confidentiality, for example where there are serious safeguarding concerns, particularly in relation to children.
Family mediation itself is not legally binding and that’s the whole point: You know your situation best. Most people prefer to have a say in how they live their lives and not have someone else decide for them.
Many people choose mediation because agreements they’ve helped create are more likely to be followed.
To ensure you are comfortable in any agreements made we encourage you to obtain independent legal advice. This is to check you understand the agreement, make sure it’s fair and workable and confirm you’re happy to proceed.
When agreements are reached, you can leave it at that and agree to work to the terms reached or have them converted into a legally binding court order (if both people agree).
This is especially important if you are making financial arrangements as part of a divorce.
- See FAQs for more →
You do not have to make financial arrangements legally binding when you divorce.
However, until finances are legally finalised by court order, either person can make future financial claims, even years later.
Most people turn their financial agreement into a consent order and have it approved by the court so their divorce can be finalised. Many people ask a solicitor to help draft the order, using our documents, so it has the best chance of approval by the court.
We always suggest that you seek independent legal advice before finalising a significant financial agreement.
No. You do not have to be in the same room. Most of our mediations are online. Often this is enough to make the process feel more comfortable.
When appropriate shuttle mediation can be used. This is often a slower process but can be helpful when circumstances are particularly difficult or where a court order restricts direct communication.
In shuttle mediation, each person remains in a separate virtual room and does not see the other. The mediator moves between rooms to facilitate discussion.
It is not unusual for clients who begin in shuttle mediation to later choose to move to joint sessions if they feel able to do so.
We use a clear and structured disclosure process so decisions are based on shared, accurate information, so you can
Family mediation is generally confidential and “without prejudice”, which means that what is discussed in mediation cannot usually be shared with the court.
Financial disclosure is the exception. It is an ‘open’ part of mediation, meaning the financial information you share, such as details of income, property, savings, investments, pensions and debts may later be shared with the court if needed. This also happens when court is needed to approve a financial agreement, known as a consent order (sometimes called a financial remedy consent order) as part of a divorce or separation. For this reason, it is important that financial disclosure is full and accurate from the outset.
However, whilst disclosure is ‘open’, the negotiation discussions and settlement proposals explored remain ‘without prejudice’. This means they cannot be referred to in court if agreement is not reached. This is intended to allow you to speak openly, consider options, and explore solutions in a supported and confidential space.
The usual first step is a MIAM.
Mediation is voluntary. Attending a MIAM does not commit you to continuing with mediation. It simply gives you the opportunity to understand your options and decide what feels right for you.
✦ You can start by contacting us to arrange a MIAM or to ask any initial questions about the process.
If, after both people have had a MIAM and they wish to mediate, you will sign an Agreement to Mediate. Once everyone has confirmed the agreement and a convenient date is found, mediation can start.