FAQs
What is Family Mediation?
Family mediation is a voluntary process where a trained mediator helps separating or divorcing couples, and families in conflict, to resolve disputes regarding children, finances, and property. The goal is to reach mutually acceptable agreements without resorting to court proceedings.
Is Mediation Available Online?
Yes, Family Mediation Online offers fully remote mediation sessions via video conferencing platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp, and FaceTime. This approach provides flexibility and convenience, allowing you to participate from the comfort of your home .
What is a MIAM?
A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) is the first step in the mediation process. It is a private meeting with a mediator to discuss your situation and explore whether mediation is suitable for your case. Family Mediation Online offers same-week MIAM appointments .
How Much Does Mediation Cost?
The cost of mediation varies depending on the complexity of the issues and the number of sessions required. Family Mediation Online offers competitive pricing and provides information on available financial assistance options during your initial consultation . Our MAIMs (Initial Meetings) are £95 per person and our joint online meetings are £180 / £95 per person.
Is Financial Support Available?
Yes, eligible families may qualify for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which offers up to £500 towards the cost of mediation. This scheme is available to separating couples with children and aims to make mediation more accessible .
Are Mediation Agreements Legally Binding?
Mediation agreements themselves are not automatically legally binding. However, if both parties reach an agreement, it can be formalized through a Consent Order, which is submitted to the court for approval. This makes the agreement legally enforceable .
Is Mediation Confidential?
Yes, mediation is a confidential process. Mediators are bound by strict confidentiality rules, ensuring that anything discussed during mediation cannot be used in court unless both parties agree otherwise .
Can Children Be Involved in Mediation?
In certain cases, children may be involved in mediation through a process called child-inclusive mediation. This allows children to express their views in a safe and structured environment, ensuring their voices are heard in decisions that affect them .
How Long Does Mediation Take?
The duration of mediation depends on the complexity of the issues and the willingness of both parties to reach an agreement. Typically, mediation is a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to lengthy court proceedings .
Steps to Successful Mediation.
Step One — Book your MIAM
Your first step is to book a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) with mediator Amy Dixon. The cost is £95 per person.
This is a private, confidential meeting where you can discuss your circumstances, explain what you would like to resolve and ask questions about mediation.
Step Two — Your former partner’s MIAM
Following your MIAM, we will invite your former partner to attend their own private MIAM, also costing £95.
After both meetings, your mediator will assess whether mediation is suitable and discuss the format with you. This may be joint mediation or shuttle mediation, where you remain separate and your mediator speaks with each of you in turn.
Mediation for children’s arrangements
Step Three — Agreement to mediate and funding
If mediation is suitable and you both wish to proceed, we will send you an agreement to mediate.
Where eligible, we will also apply for the Government-backed Family Mediation Voucher Scheme on your behalf. This provides up to £500 per case towards mediation sessions.
The scheme is not means tested and is available for eligible disputes concerning children, including cases where children’s arrangements and finances are discussed together. It does not cover MIAM fees, and only one voucher is available per case.
At our current session fees, an approved voucher covers two two-hour mediation sessions for both parents. Sessions will be arranged once funding has been confirmed.
Step Four — Your mediation sessions
We will send you dates to choose from for your first session.
Children’s mediation can help you discuss arrangements such as:
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Where your children live and the time they spend with each parent.
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School holidays, birthdays and special occasions.
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Communication, handovers and practical parenting decisions.
The number of sessions needed depends on your circumstances. If further sessions are required after the voucher funding has been used, they cost £120 per person for each two-hour session. The same fee applies if voucher funding is unavailable.
Step Five — Your Parenting Plan
If you reach an agreement, Amy can prepare a Parenting Plan recording the arrangements.
You may choose to follow the plan voluntarily. If you wish to explore making the arrangements legally binding, you can take the plan to a solicitor for advice about applying for an appropriate court order.
Our document preparation fee is £120 in total.
Mediation for financial matters
Step Three — Agreement to mediate and financial disclosure
If mediation is suitable and you both wish to proceed, we will send you an agreement to mediate and explain the financial information you each need to provide.
This usually includes details of property, mortgages, bank accounts, savings, pensions, income, debts and living expenses, together with supporting documents.
Both parties need a clear picture of the finances so that proposals can be considered properly.
Step Four — Your mediation sessions
We will offer dates for your first session. Financial mediation can help you discuss matters such as:
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The family home and future housing.
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Savings, property and other assets.
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Pensions and retirement provision.
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Income, maintenance and debts.
Each two-hour session costs £120 per person. The number of sessions required depends on the issues and the information available.
The voucher scheme does not cover financial matters alone. Where you are also resolving an eligible dispute concerning children, voucher funding may contribute towards mediation covering both issues.
Step Five — Recording your financial proposals
If you reach an agreement, Amy can prepare:
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An Open Financial Statement (OFS) recording your financial disclosure.
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A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recording your proposed financial settlement.
Our document preparation fee is £120 in total.
These documents can be taken to your legal advisers for independent advice and used to prepare a financial consent order. The settlement becomes legally binding when the court approves the order.
Mediation helps you consider options and reach your own decisions. Amy provides information as a mediator; each party can obtain independent legal advice about the proposed settlement.