If you’re considering family mediation to resolve issues around separation, divorce, child arrangements or finances, one of the first questions you’re likely to ask is: how much does family mediation cost? At Vollans Mediation, we believe in clear, honest pricing and helping you understand the options available.
Family Mediation Costs
Mediation is generally faster, less stressful, and far more cost-effective than going through lengthy legal proceedings. But how much does it actually cost?
The cost of family mediation varies depending on several factors, such as the number of sessions required, whether one or both of you qualify for Legal Aid or the Government’s Family Mediation Voucher, the complexity of the issues involved and the mediation service you’re using.
At Vollans Mediation, we aim to make our fees clear and competitive so that you can plan ahead with confidence. We charge a fixed fee rather than an hourly rate so you always know in advance how much you’ll be paying. You can find a full list of our costs here.
The Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
Before any joint mediation sessions, each party is required to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). This is a one-to-one session with a mediator to explain the process and assess whether mediation is right for you.
At Vollans Mediation a MIAM costs £180 including VAT per person.
If you’re eligible for Legal Aid (or the person you’re mediating with is eligible for Legal Aid), the MIAM is free.
The Joint Mediation Sessions
If an agreement is reached to proceed with mediation, joint sessions are then arranged. The number of sessions needed depends on the complexity of the issues. On average clients attend between 3 and 5 sessions which last 90 minutes.
At Vollans Mediation we charge a fixed fee of £250 including VAT per person per session.
This fee covers the costs of the session and any preparation and administration either side of the session. We estimate there is around 4 hours work involved in facilitating a 90 minute joint session.
If you’re eligible for Legal Aid then you will not pay anything for the joint sessions. If the person you’re mediating with is eligible for Legal Aid then the first joint session will be free for you and you’ll have to pay after that.
Are There Any Additional Costs?
If you’ll be discussing financial arrangements within the mediation process then there is an additional fee of £150 including VAT per person to cover the costs of collecting, collating and sharing any financial disclosure.
In some cases, you may need additional documents at the end of the mediation process. An Outcome Statement or Memorandum of Understanding is a summary of what’s been agreed in the mediation process. An Open Financial Statement (OFS) accompanies this document. It’s a clear summary of the financial disclosure exchanged in the process. These are optional but often helpful if you’re seeking a legally binding agreement later through a solicitor and the court. At Vollans Mediation we charge a fixed fee of £250 including VAT per person for preparation of these documents.
If you receive Legal Aid, you won’t have to pay any of these additional costs.
Legal Aid for Family Mediation
If you’re on a very low income or receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for Legal Aid. This will cover the full cost of the MIAM, any joint mediation sessions and preparing any paperwork.
Even if only one person qualifies for Legal Aid, both of you will get the MIAM and the first joint session free.
This makes family mediation an incredibly cost-effective option, especially when compared with solicitor fees and court proceedings.
The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
In addition to Legal Aid, the Government offers a £500 Family Mediation Voucher to help separating couples resolve disputes involving children. This one-time voucher is available per case (not per person) and is designed to encourage more families to choose mediation over court. At Vollans Mediation, we’ll guide you through the application process and help you make the most of this valuable support. The voucher is applied directly to the cost of joint mediation sessions. It cannot be used towards the costs of the MIAM or preparing any paperwork.
Why Mediation Is Worth the Cost
While there is a cost to mediation, it’s typically much cheaper than going to court. Court proceedings can run into tens of thousands of pounds in solicitor and barrister fees, and they often take months to years to resolve.
You can see some examples of the costs of mediation here.
Affordable Mediation with Vollans Mediation
At Vollans Mediation, we’re committed to providing a high-quality, affordable family mediation service. Our mediators are fully accredited and experienced in helping families find fair, practical solutions.
Click on the ‘Contact‘ tab above to see the different ways to get in touch with us to discuss next steps. We respond quickly and can answer any questions you may have about the cost of family mediation.