Answer a few short questions to find out whether you are likely to qualify for funded family mediation.
Getting started0%
Before we start
About this checker
These questions will give you a clear indication of whether you are likely to qualify for legal aid funding for family mediation, and for what reason. Your answers stay in your browser only and are not stored or shared.
Once complete, your application will be reviewed by Mediate UK and a confirmation will be sent to you so you can book your MIAM appointment online.
No problem. If you would prefer to speak with someone directly, please contact our team and we will be happy to help.
Step 1 of 14
Are you based in England or Wales?
Legal aid for family mediation is only available in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate schemes.
Step 2 of 14
Are you 18 or over?
Different rules apply for applicants under the age of 18. Please confirm your age before continuing.
Different rules apply for applicants under 18. Please contact our team directly and we will be happy to help you: admin@mediateuk.co.uk
Step 3 of 14
About your situation
Please tell us a little about your dispute so we can confirm this checker applies to you.
Arrangements for children or grandchildren (living arrangements, contact, parental responsibility)
Legal aid for family mediation only covers disputes that would otherwise need to be resolved through family court proceedings. It does not cover issues between siblings, counselling or communication support, child and parent relationship issues, inheritance or wills, or family business disputes outside of a relationship. If you are unsure whether your matter qualifies, please contact us at admin@mediateuk.co.uk before continuing.
Select all that apply. This is separate from the legal aid question at the end.
Children issues
Property & finances
All issues mediation
If none apply, leave all unticked.
Legal aid for family mediation requires your willingness to attend. Please contact our team if you would like to discuss your options.
Step 4 of 14
Are you currently receiving any of these benefits?
If you receive one of the following, you automatically pass the income test for legal aid. You will still need to pass the savings and capital check.
Universal Credit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit element)
None of the above
📋 Evidence you will need for this application
If yes, we will need their financial details too, as the LAA assesses household income and capital.
If your partner is the person you are in dispute with, their finances are not included in this assessment.
Partner’s income excluded. Because your partner is a party to this dispute, their income and assets are not included in the means assessment.
Step 5 of 14 — Income
Your monthly income
Please enter your income from all sources below. Use monthly figures. If you are paid weekly, multiply by 52 and divide by 12. Where you have a partner whose income is included in this assessment, you will be asked for their income separately.
Do not include Housing Benefit or government Cost of Living payments.
Enter your partner's income from all sources below. Use monthly figures.
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£
£
£
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£
Total gross monthly income£0
Monthly income limit£2,657
Your gross income appears to exceed the monthly limit for your household. The standard limit is £2,657/month, plus £222 for each child over 4. Please continue to see your full result.
Step 6 of 14 — Outgoings
Your monthly outgoings
These deductions are used to calculate your disposable income. Enter only the amounts you personally pay each month.
Total gross income£0
Tax & NI− £0
Employment allowance (£45 standard)− £0
Partner allowance (£228.56)− £0
Children allowance (£367.87 each)− £0
Housing costs (net of Housing Benefit)− £0
Childcare− £0
Maintenance paid− £0
Criminal legal aid contribution− £0
Estimated disposable income£0
Your estimated disposable income appears to exceed £733/month. This is the legal aid threshold. You are unlikely to qualify, but you can continue to see your full result.
Step 7 of 14 — Savings & Assets
Your savings and assets
Please provide us with any savings or assets you have. You will need to supply these for your current partner too (where applicable). If you own a property, we will ask about that separately and include the equity in the capital calculation.
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£
Cars and other vehicles in regular use are generally treated as having nil value unless they are of exceptional value. Household furniture and effects are excluded unless of exceptional value, and normal clothing is excluded.
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£
👥 Your partner’s savings and assets
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£
£
£
This applies to your assets only. Your partner's assets cannot be part of the dispute for SMOD purposes.
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£
£
£
Savings£0
Investments£0
Valuables£0
Other capital£0
SMOD disregard on non-property assets− £0
Savings & assets subtotal£0
Partner’s savings & assets£0
Property equity (calculated later)assessed after property step
Capital limit£8,000
Capital limit exceeded. Your total savings and assets of £0 exceeds the £8,000 legal aid capital limit. Property equity will be added after the property step. Please continue to see your full result.
Step 8 of 14 — Your details
Your contact details
Please complete your personal details below. These are required for the legal aid application and for Mediate UK to send you a confirmation.
Please complete all required fields highlighted below before continuing.
Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your date of birth
Please enter your address, town/city, and postcode
Your confirmation will be sent here.Please enter a valid email address
Format: two letters, six numbers, one final letter. Example: AB 12 34 56 CPlease enter a valid National Insurance number (e.g. AB 12 34 56 C)
Step 9 of 14 — Equality monitoring
Equality monitoring
These questions are required for Legal Aid Agency reporting. All responses are optional and your answers will not affect your eligibility.
ℹ This information is collected for LAA statistical purposes only and has no bearing on your application.
Step 10 of 14 — Your evidence
Documents we need from you
Please upload the documents listed below. Accepted formats: PDF, Word document, JPG, PNG. Max 10MB per file.
👥 Your partner’s evidence
The same documents are required for your partner. Where relevant, each must be in your partner’s name (e.g. bank statements must show their account).
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Click to upload or drag files here
PDF, Word, JPG or PNG • Max 10MB per file
Can’t upload right now? You can still continue with your eligibility assessment, and email your documents to admin@mediateuk.co.uk. Please use Legal Aid and your surname as the reference. We cannot process your claim or book your appointment without the required documentation.
Step 11 of 14 — Your accommodation
Your accommodation
We need a few details about where you currently live. This forms part of your legal aid application.
This includes houses, flats, and commercial property.
Step 12 of 14 — Your case
Your case
We need to know a little about why you are coming to family mediation.
Child arrangements (where children live, contact, etc.)
Please tell us about the property you own. This information is used to calculate whether the equity falls within the legal aid capital limit.
Please complete all required details for every property listed before continuing.
An approximate estimate is fine. You can use Zoopla or Rightmove as a guide.
£
£
Estimated property value£0
Outstanding mortgage− £0
Total net equity£0
Your share (%)100%
Your share of net equity£0
SMOD disregard (if applicable)− £0
Equity disregard (£100,000 main home)− £0
Assessable equity£0
Enter 50 if jointly owned equally. Enter 100 if solely owned by you.
%
If you own the property together, or either of you could make a financial claim on it as part of your divorce or separation, answer Yes. This is still Yes if you already agree what should happen to it.
Step 14 of 14 — Declaration
Client declaration
Please confirm each of the following statements. All must be confirmed before your application can be submitted.
This includes legal aid family mediation with any other service within the last 3 months.
Previous mediation noted. If you have had legal aid mediation on the same matter with another service within the last 3 months, we may not be able to continue your claim with us yet. A new claim can usually be started after 3 months.
As far as I know, all the information I have given is true, including information about my means, and I have not withheld any relevant information. I understand that if I knowingly give false information or withhold relevant information I could be prosecuted.
This is a true statement of all my income and assets in the United Kingdom and abroad.
I understand that I must tell Mediate UK immediately if there are any changes in my or my partner’s financial circumstances before or during mediation.
I agree to the Legal Aid Agency checking these facts with other organisations including the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs, and I authorise those organisations to provide the information they are asked for.
You must confirm all four statements to proceed. If you have questions, please contact our team before submitting.
Sorry, there was a problem sending your application. Please try again or call us on 0330 999 0959.
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You are likely to qualify for legal aid
Based on your answers, you appear to meet the criteria for legal aid funding for family mediation.
Why you are likely eligible
📋 Evidence you will need for this application
What happens next
Mediate UK will review your application and email you a confirmation
If eligible, you can use the confirmation to book your MIAM appointment online
If you are not eligible, you can still book a paid MIAM online — book here
This result is an indication only. Final confirmation will be made at your MIAM using the LAA’s official means test.
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Legal aid is not available in your region
The Legal Aid Agency funds family mediation in England and Wales only.
Your options
If you are in Scotland, contact the Scottish Legal Aid Board at slab.org.uk. In Northern Ireland, contact the Legal Services Agency NI. We can discuss private mediation options with you.