Shuttle Mediation Explained
Last updated: August 2026
by Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy at Mediate UK, April 2026, updated 26 August 2026. Based on Mediate UK’s shuttle mediation outcomes since April 2019 and our Family Mediation Council member mediators‘ day-to-day practice.
Key Takeaways
- Shuttle mediation keeps the two parties in separate rooms (in person or online) with the mediator moving between them.
- It is most often used where there has been domestic abuse, significant power imbalance, or where the parties simply do not want to be in the same room.
- Mediate UK’s shuttle fees match our standard rates: £120 plus VAT per person per hour online, £150 plus VAT face to face, or £180 plus VAT in Central London.
- The face-to-face rates include the hire of the second room, so there is no separate room hire charge, online or in person.
- Shuttle sessions typically last 2 hours rather than 90 minutes to allow the mediator to move between rooms or screens.
- Mediate UK holds a contract with the Legal Aid Agency, so shuttle mediation is free if you qualify for Legal Aid, including your MIAM and any documentation.
- 90% of Mediate UK clients who progress from a MIAM to joint mediation reach a full or partial agreement, including those who use shuttle.
Shuttle Mediation
Shuttle mediation is a form of family mediation in which the two parties are kept in separate rooms and a single mediator moves between them, passing ideas, proposals and concerns back and forth. It is used where direct contact is not safe, not wanted, or not workable, and is a powerful way of reaching a parenting or financial agreement without either party ever having to face the other.
What Is Shuttle Mediation?
Shuttle mediation is a standard form of family mediation in which you and your ex-partner are placed in separate rooms, either in person at one of our offices or virtually through Zoom breakout rooms. A single FMC-accredited mediator moves between the two rooms, listening to each party in turn and then passing the other person’s ideas, proposals, and responses back.
At no point during the session do you see or speak directly to the other party. Arrival and departure times are staggered and separate waiting areas are used, so there is no overlap at any stage of the process.
Shuttle mediation can be used for parenting issues, property disputes, financial settlements, or any combination of the three, and produces the same documents as standard mediation, including a Memorandum of Understanding and Open Financial Statement where relevant.
With shuttle mediation you stay in separate rooms, or on separate calls, and your mediator carries the questions, offers and replies between you. You never have to see or speak to each other to reach an agreement.
Who Is Shuttle Mediation For?
Shuttle mediation is chosen by people who qualify for or would benefit from a separate-room process. The most common reasons our clients ask for shuttle are:
- History of domestic abuse: where one party qualifies for the domestic abuse MIAM exemption but wants to try mediation anyway to avoid court.
- Non-molestation or occupation orders: where a protective injunction is in place and direct contact would breach it.
- Coercive control or power imbalance: where one party would struggle to speak freely with the other in the room.
- Long-standing estrangement: parents who have not spoken for months or years and cannot face direct conversation.
- High-conflict separations: where previous attempts at direct negotiation have broken down, often after failed solicitor correspondence.
- Anxiety or trauma: where being in the same room would cause significant emotional distress.
- As a stepping-stone: some clients start with shuttle and move to direct mediation later, once trust is rebuilt.
If you are not sure whether shuttle is right for your circumstances, the conversation usually begins at your MIAM, where the mediator carries out safety screening and discusses the most appropriate format for joint sessions.
Do I Have to See My Ex During Shuttle Mediation?
No. That is the whole point of shuttle mediation. You and your ex-partner are never in the same room, or on the same video call, at any point. In person, you are shown to separate rooms with staggered arrival and departure times, so you do not meet in reception or the car park. Online, each of you joins a private breakout room and the mediator moves between them. Nothing is passed on that you have not agreed to pass on, and you can take as long as you need before responding to anything.
Many people come to us convinced that mediation is impossible because of how things ended. Shuttle changes that for a lot of them. It is not a compromise, it is the same work done a different way, and the written outcome carries exactly the same weight, including for a MIAM certificate or a consent order.
| Format | Both in the same room? | Best suited for | Session length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint mediation | Yes | Moderate conflict, both of you willing to talk directly | Typically 90 minutes |
| Shuttle mediation in person | No | Domestic abuse, high conflict, anxiety, a power imbalance | Typically 2 hours |
| Online shuttle mediation | No | All of the above, plus where you cannot travel or live far apart | Typically 2 hours |
What if I refuse mediation altogether?
If you decide not to mediate in any format, the alternative in most cases is court, and in court you almost certainly will see your ex. Both parties are usually expected to attend hearings in person. You will not sit next to each other, but you will be in the same courtroom, often at several hearings spread over many months. Children Act cases took an average of 37 weeks to conclude in 2025, according to Ministry of Justice figures, and contested financial proceedings can cost £30,000 plus VAT or more each, according to MoneyHelper.
Under the Children and Families Act 2014, most people applying to court about children or finances must first attend a MIAM unless an exemption applies, and exemptions for domestic abuse have to be evidenced. Since 29 April 2024, under the Family Procedure (Amendment No 2) Rules 2023, the court can also pause proceedings at any stage to send you back to mediation, and can take an unreasonable refusal into account when deciding who pays the costs.
A real example: when shuttle made the difference
Sarah and her ex-partner had separated after a difficult relationship. She felt strongly that she could not be in the same room as him and had ruled out mediation altogether. After talking it through at her MIAM, she agreed to try shuttle mediation online. Over three sessions they reached a full agreement on child arrangements and a financial settlement without ever seeing or speaking to each other directly, and the agreement was later made legally binding through a consent order. She said afterwards that the process gave her back a sense of control she had not expected. (Details changed to protect privacy.)
If you would rather never be in the same room, our shuttle mediation service page covers the format, the price and how to book, and the rest of this guide explains how a session runs in practice.
How Shuttle Mediation Works in Practice
Mediate UK’s shuttle sessions run in 15-minute slots. The mediator starts with one party, spends 15 minutes listening to their views, concerns, and proposals, then moves to the other party and relays what has been shared, along with any follow-up questions.
The mediator often takes a flip-chart between rooms to share figures, options, and proposals visually. On occasion the mediator may spend longer with one party than the other, for example where one client is less prepared with their financial disclosure or has more questions. The aim is parity of outcome, not parity of minutes.
Whether the session is held face to face or online, the structure is the same. The mediator controls the pace, ensures neither party feels rushed, and summarises the points of agreement at regular intervals so both of you know where you stand.
Online Shuttle Mediation
Our online mediation platform uses Zoom’s breakout rooms feature. You and your ex are placed in separate virtual rooms, with the mediator moving between the two. You do not see, hear, or appear on screen to the other party at any point. For clients who are anxious about being in the same building, online shuttle is often the most comfortable option.
Face-to-Face Shuttle Mediation
For in-person shuttle, we hire a second room at our office so that each party has their own dedicated space. Arrival and departure times are staggered and reception is briefed on keeping you separate throughout. In one of our earliest offices, the two rooms were on different floors, so the mediator would come back at the end of the two-hour session feeling like they had done a workout.
Ready to Start Shuttle Mediation?
Book a MIAM to start the conversation. Your mediator will discuss whether shuttle is the right format for you and can arrange online or face-to-face sessions within 15 business days.
Shuttle Mediation Costs
Mediate UK’s hourly rates for shuttle mediation are the same as for our standard mediation. Shuttle works out more expensive overall for two separate reasons that are worth understanding up front:
- Shuttle takes longer per session: we schedule shuttle sessions as 2 hours rather than the 90 minutes of a standard joint session, because the mediator has to move between rooms. This applies whether you are online or face to face.
- Face-to-face shuttle uses two rooms: we set aside a second room at our office to keep you apart. The cost of that room is included in the face-to-face rate, so there is nothing extra to pay.
| Service | Price (plus VAT) |
|---|---|
| Online shuttle mediation | £120 per person per hour |
| Face-to-face shuttle mediation | £150 per person per hour |
| Face-to-face shuttle, Central London | £180 per person per hour |
Most shuttle cases take 2 to 3 joint sessions for parenting matters and 2 to 4 for finances. The full Mediate UK price list, including fixed-fee packages and document fees, is on our costs page. More detail on payment options, government vouchers, and Legal Aid is in our companion guide on who pays for family mediation.
Legal Aid for Shuttle Mediation
Available Now
Mediate UK offers Legal Aid for family mediation, including shuttle mediation.
This is particularly relevant for shuttle clients, many of whom qualify for Legal Aid on the basis of domestic abuse. You can check whether you are eligible in a couple of minutes using our free eligibility checker below.
Success Stories From Shuttle Mediation
Case Study: Four Years of No Contact to a Reunited Family
A mother and father came to us having not spoken for four years. Their child had not seen their mother for five years following a period of severe alcohol dependency. The case had all the features of a contested court battle waiting to happen: high emotion, significant safeguarding history, and no communication at all.
We started with shuttle mediation for the first three sessions. As trust gradually built, the parents agreed to try the final two sessions in the same room. They finished with a comprehensive parenting plan that reintroduced contact between mother and child in carefully planned stages.
The outcome was only possible because shuttle gave both parents a safe place to start. The mother had gone sober, the father was ready to forgive the past, and shuttle mediation gave them the structured, protected environment they needed to rebuild from there.
Case Study: Domestic Abuse Exemption, Agreement Without Court
A mother came to us with a valid MIAM exemption supported by a non-molestation order against her ex. She qualified to go straight to court on Form C100 but did not want her children’s arrangements decided by a judge. We arranged online shuttle mediation, with each parent in a separate virtual room and no direct contact. Over three shuttle sessions they agreed safe handover arrangements using a neutral location and a contact centre for the first three months. Neither party had to issue court proceedings, and the exemption stayed on file as a safety net in case the arrangement broke down.
“Shuttle mediation is one of the most useful tools we have. Many of the clients who book with us after domestic abuse would never set foot in a room with their ex, and shuttle gives them a way to reach an agreement that respects that. The outcome for the children is often transformative, especially when the alternative would have been a contested court battle.”
Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy, Mediate UK
Honest Trade-Offs of Shuttle Mediation
Shuttle mediation is powerful but it is not always the fastest or cheapest option. The honest trade-offs are:
- It takes longer: sessions are 2 hours rather than 90 minutes, and you often need one or two extra sessions to reach agreement.
- It is more expensive per agreement: the longer sessions mean more billable hours.
- Messages can get lost in translation: you rely on the mediator to relay your views, and nuance can be harder to convey than in direct conversation.
- The “shoot the messenger” effect: occasionally clients get frustrated with the mediator because they are the only other person in the room, even though the mediator is simply relaying what the other party has said.
None of these trade-offs usually outweigh the benefits for the clients who need shuttle. And shuttle mediation is still significantly cheaper, faster, and less stressful than contested court proceedings, which is the most realistic alternative for most of our shuttle clients.
How to Arrange Shuttle Mediation
Shuttle mediation is almost always arranged by agreement between the two parties, either at the MIAM or as a joint decision before the first session. If one party wants shuttle and the other insists on direct face-to-face mediation, mediation cannot proceed until that is resolved.
The process is usually as follows:
- Raise it at the MIAM: explain your reasons and any safety concerns. The mediator will carry out safety screening as standard and will flag whether shuttle is appropriate.
- Your mediator contacts the other party: they will explain that shuttle has been requested and why, and seek the other person’s agreement.
- Our business support team arranges the logistics: separate arrival and departure times, staggered reception, and a second room where you are meeting in person.
- First joint session is booked: typically within 2 to 4 weeks of the MIAM, or sooner if we can.
Mediate UK cannot control what happens outside our offices, so if you have any concerns about your personal safety around arrival or departure, please tell us at your MIAM or at any point afterwards. We will work with you on a plan, and if shuttle is not enough to keep you safe, we will discuss alternative routes including applying to court directly with a MIAM exemption.
Family Law Service
Shuttle Mediation Didn’t Reach Agreement? We Can Help You Prepare for Court
If shuttle mediation doesn’t resolve your parenting dispute, our sister company Family Law Service offers fixed-fee pre-court preparation, including C100 completion, CAFCASS prep, and child arrangements position statements, all drafted by our legal team.
Alternatives to Shuttle Mediation
Shuttle is the right choice for many of our clients, but it is not the only option. If you are somewhere between wanting direct mediation and needing full shuttle, your mediator may suggest:
- Standard mediation with a break-out room: direct joint sessions with a separate room available if either party needs a breather.
- Scheduled breaks: building additional pauses into standard sessions, giving both parties time to reflect.
- Online mediation: even direct joint online mediation can feel less confrontational than sitting across a table, without the full cost of shuttle.
A quick note on a common confusion: some online searches bring up “collaborative mediation” as an alternative where both parties bring solicitors. That is actually collaborative law, a different process entirely. In standard or shuttle mediation with Mediate UK, solicitors do not attend the sessions themselves but they can support you in between sessions through our legal advice packages.
Is Shuttle Mediation Successful?
Yes. 90% of Mediate UK clients who progress from a MIAM to joint mediation reach a full or partial agreement on the issues raised, and that figure includes clients who used shuttle. This is based on our internal case management data covering every joint mediation case between April 2019 and March 2026.
The people who come to us for shuttle are often in the hardest situations, and still the majority reach a workable outcome. Sometimes the outcome is a full settlement, sometimes it is a partial agreement that resolves the most urgent issue, and sometimes it is a stepping-stone towards direct mediation further down the line. Any of these is better than a contested court battle.
Summary
Shuttle mediation is a safer, structured form of family mediation where the two parties stay in separate rooms and the mediator moves between them. It is most often used after domestic abuse, coercive control, long-standing estrangement, or high conflict, and can deliver the same written agreements as any other form of mediation.
At Mediate UK, shuttle is charged at our standard hourly rate (£120 plus VAT per person online, £150 plus VAT face to face, or £180 plus VAT in Central London), and the face-to-face rates include the second room, so there is no separate room hire fee. Sessions are usually 2 hours rather than 90 minutes. Shuttle mediation is free if you qualify for Legal Aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is shuttle mediation?
Shuttle mediation is a form of family mediation in which the two parties are kept in separate rooms (in person or online) and a single mediator moves between them. It is commonly used where there has been domestic abuse, coercive control, or where the parties simply do not want to be in the same room.
How much does shuttle mediation cost?
Mediate UK’s shuttle sessions are £120 plus VAT per person per hour online, £150 plus VAT face to face outside Central London, and £180 plus VAT in Central London. The face-to-face rates include the second room, so there is no separate room hire fee. Sessions usually run to 2 hours rather than 90 minutes, whichever format you choose.
Why is shuttle mediation more expensive than standard mediation?
Shuttle usually costs more per agreement for one reason: sessions run for 2 hours rather than 90 minutes because the mediator has to move between rooms or screens, so there are more billable hours per session. The hourly rate itself is the same as joint mediation, and there is no separate room hire charge for face-to-face shuttle.
Can we do shuttle mediation online?
Yes. We use Zoom breakout rooms so that you and your ex are in separate virtual rooms throughout, with the mediator moving between them. You will not see or hear the other party at any point. Online shuttle is often the most comfortable option for clients who are anxious about being in the same building.
Can I bring someone with me to shuttle mediation?
Yes. You can bring a trusted friend or family member for support, as long as they are not a lawyer or solicitor and do not negotiate directly with the mediator on your behalf. Either party can bring a support person, which helps keep the process balanced.
How long does shuttle mediation last?
We schedule shuttle sessions for 2 hours rather than the 90 minutes we use for standard joint sessions. Most clients need 2 to 3 shuttle sessions for parenting matters and 2 to 4 for financial cases.
Can one party insist on shuttle mediation?
Shuttle mediation is usually agreed between the parties. If one party wants shuttle and the other insists on direct mediation, mediation cannot go ahead until that is resolved. Your mediator can suggest shuttle based on safety screening at the MIAM or on observations during early sessions.
Is shuttle mediation successful?
Yes. 90% of Mediate UK clients who progress from a MIAM to joint mediation reach a full or partial agreement, and that figure includes shuttle clients. Shuttle is particularly successful in high-conflict cases where direct mediation would otherwise be impossible.
Can I move from shuttle to direct mediation later?
Absolutely. Some clients start with shuttle mediation for the early sessions while trust is rebuilt, then move to direct mediation once the conversation is working. Your mediator will always check with both of you before changing the format.
Will Legal Aid cover shuttle mediation?
Yes. Legal Aid covers family mediation for those who qualify, including shuttle mediation, and Mediate UK holds a contract with the Legal Aid Agency. If you qualify, your MIAM, all your shuttle sessions and any documentation are free, and where one of you qualifies the other person’s MIAM and first joint session are free too. You can check in a couple of minutes with our free Legal Aid eligibility checker.
Do I have to be in the same room as my ex in mediation?
No. If a joint session is not suitable, shuttle mediation lets both of you take part without ever being in the same room or on the same video call. Raise it at your MIAM, which is a private meeting with the mediator, and they will advise on the right format for your situation.
Will I have to see my ex if we go to court instead?
Almost certainly, yes. In most family court cases both parties attend hearings in person, and a contested case can involve several hearings over many months. You will not sit next to each other, but you will be in the same courtroom. Court is also far slower and more expensive than mediation, which is one reason shuttle mediation is worth considering first.
You Might Also Find Helpful
MIAM Exemptions Under FPR Rule 3.8 Read the guide |
Online Family Mediation View the guide |
Who Pays for Family Mediation? Find out more |
MIAM Exemption Calculator Use the tool |
Mediate UK is an FMC accredited, Legal Aid Agency contracted provider, with 715+ reviews rated 4.8/5 and more than 23,000 people helped. Book your MIAM to get things moving, find out whether you qualify for legal aid, or have a free 15-minute call with our team if you would rather talk it through first. Urgent MIAMs include a signed court form.
