Chris Yaffes
Accredited Family Mediator
FMCA, CIM
Member of Family Mediation Council
Member of Family Mediators Association
Member of Resolution
Chris Yaffes is an accredited family mediator and child-inclusive mediator with over a decade of experience, having practised since 2013. He helps separating couples and families reach agreement on children, finances and property, both in person and through online mediation. A key focus of his work has been supporting expatriate, transnational and international couples, drawing on his own diverse cross-cultural background.
1. Current Role at Mediate UK
Chris is one of our most experienced mediators, working with clients across England and Wales. He conducts MIAMs, joint mediation sessions and child-inclusive mediation, helping people resolve their separation without the cost and stress of going to court.
- Chris is an Accredited Family Mediator at Mediate UK.
- He mediates on all issues, including child arrangements, finances and property.
- He offers both online and in-person mediation sessions.
2. Experience and Accreditation
Chris began his mediation training in 2011 and has practised as a family mediator since 2013. He achieved full accreditation with the Family Mediation Council in 2017 and is accredited to mediate on all issues. He is also qualified to sign court forms, which means he can sign the MIAM confirmation on a C100 or Form A application where mediation is not suitable or has not resolved matters.
- Chris has practised as a family mediator since 2013.
- He is an FMC Accredited Family Mediator (FMCA), accredited for all issues.
- He is qualified to sign court forms, including MIAM certificates.
3. Areas of Expertise
Chris works with the full range of issues that arise on separation and divorce. Typical areas include:
- Child arrangements and Parenting Plans
- Financial mediation, including property, pensions and financial disclosure
- MIAMs and signing court forms where needed
- Child-inclusive mediation, giving children a voice in the process
- Mediation for expatriate, transnational and international couples
- Complex separations involving more than one country or legal system
His goal is to help clients communicate constructively, understand their options and reach fair, workable agreements that last.
4. Child-Inclusive Mediation
Chris is a qualified child-inclusive mediator (CIM), trained and approved to see children in mediation. Child-inclusive mediation gives children and young people the chance to share their views with a trained professional, in a safe and confidential way, so parents can take those views into account when making decisions. Many parents find this reassuring, as it keeps the focus firmly on what works best for their children.
- Chris is qualified to see children in mediation.
- Child-inclusive sessions are voluntary and confidential, and both parents and the child must agree to them.
- Children’s views are fed back to parents in an agreed way, helping shape child-focused decisions.
5. Supporting International Families
A distinctive part of Chris’s practice is his work with expatriate, transnational and international couples. Separations that span more than one country bring extra layers of complexity, from different legal systems and time zones to cultural expectations around family life. Chris draws on his own cross-cultural background and international career to help these families find common ground.
- Chris regularly mediates for couples living in different countries or relocating abroad.
- Online mediation makes it practical for international clients to attend sessions from anywhere.
- His cross-cultural experience helps clients feel understood, whatever their background.
6. Background: From Law to Mediation
Chris originally trained as a lawyer in South Africa, where he practised family and criminal law before relocating to New York. There, he pursued a Master’s degree in International Relations and moved into the non-profit sector, working as a writer, researcher and documentary film producer. In 2011, Chris moved to the UK and began his training as a mediator, combining his legal expertise, international perspective and communication skills to help families work through complex separations successfully.
- Chris trained and practised as a lawyer in South Africa, in family and criminal law.
- He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations, completed in New York.
- He worked in the non-profit sector as a writer, researcher and documentary film producer.
- He moved to the UK in 2011 and began training as a family mediator.
7. Professional Memberships
People can find out more about Chris’s accreditation and professional standing through his profiles:
- Family Mediation Council: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/mediator/chris-yaffes/
- Family Mediators Association: https://thefma.co.uk/mediators/christopher-yaffes-divorce-mediation-service/
- Resolution: https://resolution.org.uk/members/christopher-yaffes/
- LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/chris-yaffes-50077618
8. How Chris Supports Divorcing and Separating Clients
To support clients through separation and divorce:
- Chris conducts MIAMs and explains clearly whether mediation is suitable for your situation.
- He mediates on children, finances and property, keeping discussions calm and productive.
- He offers child-inclusive mediation where it would help the family.
- He works flexibly with international clients through online mediation.
- He signs court forms promptly where mediation is not the right route.
“Chris’s role is to help you have the conversations that feel too difficult to have on your own, and to turn them into practical agreements. If you would like to find out whether mediation could work for you, you can book a free 15-minute consultation with our team.”