Last updated: June 2026
Written and reviewed by Chris Yaffes, FMCA, Accredited Family and Child Inclusive Mediator at Mediate UK, June 2026. Information reflects current family mediation requirements as of 8 June 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Family mediation London services help couples resolve disputes over children, finances and property without going to court.
- Most private sessions cost around £150 to £400 per hour, with Legal Aid available for families who qualify.
- The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme gives up to £500 towards the cost of sorting out child arrangements, and it is not means tested.
- A MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) is normally required before any court application.
- We offer face to face mediation at our Waterloo, St Pancras and Sutton offices, plus online mediation across London.
- We achieve a 90% success rate for clients who attend mediation, well above the national picture.
Family Mediation London
Family mediation London is a confidential process where an impartial, FMC registered mediator helps separating or divorcing couples reach agreements about children, finances and property without going to court. It usually starts with a MIAM, followed by joint sessions. Any agreement reached can then be made legally binding.
Family mediation London services give separating and divorcing couples a calmer, faster and far cheaper way to sort out arrangements for children, finances and property than going to court. Thousands of London families each year choose mediation to resolve conflict in a more peaceful way.
Rather than having a judge make decisions for you, mediation puts control back in your hands while an impartial professional guides the conversation. This guide explains how the process works in London, what it costs, where our offices are, and how to get started.
What Is Family Mediation?
Family mediation is a voluntary process where separated or divorcing couples work with a trained, impartial mediator to resolve disputes about children, finances or property. Unlike court, it is confidential, flexible, and built to help you keep communication going for the future.
The mediator does not take sides, make decisions for you, or give legal advice. Instead, they help you explore the options and reach agreements that work for both of you.
“Most London couples who come to us assume they are heading for court. They very rarely need to. We find that once people sit down with a mediator, even on the hardest issues like selling a London home or splitting a pension, they reach better decisions for their family than a judge ever could, and they keep control of the outcome.”
Chris Yaffes, FMCA, Accredited Family Mediator, Mediate UK
What Family Mediation in London Can Help With
| Area | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Child arrangements | Where children live, contact schedules and holidays, schooling and healthcare decisions, and grandparent contact. |
| Financial matters | Dividing property and assets, spousal maintenance, pension sharing, child maintenance, and business assets. |
| Separation agreements | Unmarried couples‘ property rights, cohabitation arrangements, and the division of joint assets. |
The Family Mediation Process in London
Step 1: Your MIAM
Before making most court applications about children or finances, you must attend a MIAM, a short individual meeting that lasts about 45 to 60 minutes. Your mediator will explain how mediation works, assess whether it is suitable and safe, discuss any concerns, and set out costs and Legal Aid.
Step 2: Joint Sessions
If both of you decide to go ahead, you attend joint sessions together. These usually last 90 minutes to 2 hours and focus on the issues you need to resolve. Most couples need 3 to 5 sessions, though this depends on how complex things are.
Step 3: Making It Legally Binding
Once you agree, you make it binding. For married couples, a financial agreement is turned into a consent order approved by the court, with no hearing to attend. Unmarried couples can use a separation agreement, and many of our clients use a fixed-fee package that includes the legal work to finish the job.
Ready to start mediation in London?
A MIAM is the simple first step, and it is required before most court applications anyway. Book in, or have a free chat with our team first.
How Much Does Family Mediation Cost in London?
Family mediation London costs vary by provider. As a guide:
| Service | Typical cost in London |
|---|---|
| MIAM (per person) | Around £100 to £200 |
| Joint session (per hour) | Around £150 to £400 |
| Lawyer-mediators (per hour) | Often £400 or more |
| Family Mediation Voucher | Up to £500 towards sessions, not means tested |
| Legal Aid mediation | Free if you qualify |
The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: the government scheme gives up to £500 towards mediation about child arrangements. It was extended again by the Ministry of Justice in May 2026 and remains available. It is not means tested, so it is open to all families. It does not cover the MIAM, and you can claim one voucher per case. Our guide explains how the family mediation voucher scheme works.
Legal Aid: if you qualify, your mediation is free, and where only one of you qualifies, the other person’s MIAM and first joint session are usually covered too. You can check your eligibility, and our team is happy to talk you through it.
Online vs Face to Face Mediation in London
You can mediate online or in person, and many London couples use a mix of the two.
| Online mediation | Face to face mediation |
|---|---|
| No need to be in the same room as your ex-partner. | Easier to read body language and tone. |
| Flexible scheduling, including evenings. | More privacy for sensitive conversations. |
| No travel across London, and works well for shuttle mediation. | Some people find it easier to focus in person. |
How to Choose a Family Mediator in London
A few things are worth checking before you commit.
- Accreditation: make sure your mediator is registered with the Family Mediation Council. Registration gives you proper consumer protection.
- Full-time vs part-time: some barristers and solicitors mediate alongside legal work, but they cannot give you individual legal advice in session and often charge more. Full-time mediators usually offer more availability and better value.
- Success rates: the national average is around 70%. We achieve a 90% success rate for clients who attend mediation, partly because we focus only on mediation and use a progressive approach to keep conversations moving.
If you want to compare providers, see our guide to the top rated family mediation services in the UK.
When Mediation Might Not Be Suitable
Mediation is not right for every situation. It may not be appropriate where there is domestic abuse, significant issues affecting someone’s capacity, substance misuse, hidden assets or financial dishonesty, or a serious imbalance of power. Your mediator will assess this at the MIAM and can suggest other options if mediation is not safe or suitable. There are also some exemptions to attending a MIAM.
Since 2014, anyone applying to court about family matters must first attend a MIAM, with limited exceptions. The requirement exists because mediation is usually quicker and cheaper than court, keeps families in control, and protects relationships for future co-parenting.
Our Family Mediation London Offices
We hold face to face family mediation sessions across London, next to major transport links, plus online sessions citywide:
- Waterloo, central London, by Waterloo station.
- St Pancras, north London, by St Pancras International (view on Google Maps).
- Sutton, south London and Surrey.
- Online, throughout London and the home counties.
We also run a dedicated London service through our sister site, London Mediation Service, if you would prefer a London focused team.
About Your Family Mediator in London
Chris Yaffes, FMCA, Accredited Family and Child Inclusive Mediator. Chris has over 14 years’ experience in family mediation. He is a non-practising solicitor, having practised in both family and criminal law, and is accredited with the Family Mediation Council and a member of the Family Mediators Association and Resolution.
Alongside face to face and online mediation in London, Chris offers facilitation, where you want an agreement sense checked by an independent expert.
Summary
Family mediation London gives you a calmer, cheaper and faster way to sort out children, finances and property than court. It starts with a MIAM, moves on to joint sessions, and ends with an agreement you can make legally binding.
With Legal Aid for those who qualify, the £500 voucher scheme, and offices in Waterloo, St Pancras and Sutton plus online sessions across London, support is within reach wherever you are in the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does family mediation cost in London?
Private mediation in London usually costs around £100 to £200 for a MIAM and £150 to £400 per hour for joint sessions. Legal Aid makes it free for those who qualify, and the £500 voucher scheme can cover child arrangement sessions.
Do I have to go to court if I use family mediation?
No. The aim of mediation is to reach agreement without court. For married couples, the agreement is made binding through a consent order that the court approves on paper, with no hearing to attend.
How long does family mediation take?
Most couples reach agreement in 3 to 5 joint sessions, with each session lasting 90 minutes to 2 hours. Simpler cases can take fewer, while complex finances may take more.
Is family mediation available online across London?
Yes. We offer online mediation throughout London, which works well when you would rather not be in the same room, or need evening appointments. We also have offices in Waterloo, St Pancras and Sutton for face to face sessions.
Can I get Legal Aid for family mediation in London?
You may qualify if you receive certain benefits or are on a low income. If you qualify, your mediation is free. You can check on the GOV.UK Legal Aid checker, and we can talk you through eligibility on a free call.
What is a MIAM and do I need one?
A MIAM is a short individual meeting where a mediator explains the process and checks whether mediation is suitable. Since 2014 you normally need to attend one before applying to court about children or finances, unless an exemption applies.
Where are your family mediation offices in London?
We have offices in Waterloo in central London, St Pancras in north London, and Sutton in south London and Surrey, plus online mediation across the whole city.
You Might Also Find Helpful
The Ultimate Guide to Family Mediation Read the guide |
What to Expect at a MIAM View the guide |
Top Rated Family Mediation Services UK Find out more |
Making Your Agreement Legally Binding Learn more |
Want to Find Out More About Family Mediation in London?
We offer a free, no obligation 15-minute call. Ask anything about how mediation works, what it costs, and how we can help make your agreement legally binding.
