Family Mediation Week 2025 takes place from 27 to 31 January. The annual event is organised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) to raise awareness of family mediation and the benefits it can bring to separating families.
To show our support for the initiative, in this blog our Family Lawyers answer some frequently asked questions about mediation in family law.
What is family mediation?
Family mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that involves speaking with an independent, professionally trained third-party to discuss issues arising from the breakdown of a relationship.
Mediation is particularly useful in family law disputes to help separating couples agree on arrangements for their children, property and finances, without having to go to court.
What are the benefits of family law mediation?
Court proceedings can be stressful, costly, and time-consuming. The adversarial nature of pursuing a case through the courts also causes conflict and can have an extremely negative effect on family relationships.
Mediation has considerable advantages over litigation in family law proceedings. These include:
- It’s quicker. Mediation is much faster than going to court. While a family law case can easily take up to two years to be heard by the court, it takes couples around five sessions to agree on various arrangements using mediation.
- It’s cheaper. Legal fees and court costs make litigation very expensive. Mediation typically costs around £200 per person per hour, meaning the average costs are much lower.
- It’s less stressful. Family mediation is undertaken in a calm environment that encourages collaboration. Couples are expected to work together to find mutually beneficial solutions to their problems that they can both agree on.
- It’s flexible. There are no court deadlines to stick to. Couples dictate the pace of the sessions, can choose when and how frequently they take place, and can lead the conversations.
- You call the shots. Mediation encourages collaboration and empowers couples to make decisions for themselves. Not surrendering this power to a third-party, such as a judge, to impose decisions on them results in better outcomes
How much does family mediation cost?
If you are eligible for legal aid, mediation is free.
Otherwise, you should expect to pay around £200 per person per hour for mediation sessions, and for documentation to be drafted, according to the FMC, although this will vary depending on your location and the type of issues you need to discuss.
What is a MIAM?
MIAM stands for mediation information and assessment meeting. A MIAM is the initial meeting between you and a qualified family mediator, which is used to explain the mediation process and determine whether it is the right option for you.
You will usually need to show that you have attended a MIAM before pursuing any proceedings through the court, although there are certain exceptions, such as if you are a victim of domestic abuse or have child protection concerns.
A MIAM is confidential and typically lasts around 45 minutes. At the meeting, the mediator will ask you for various information, including:
- Details of the parties involved in the dispute.
- Background to the relationship and information about any children.
- Overview of the issues you want to discuss.
- Any safeguarding concerns.
- Overview of your finances.
- Your aims and goals.
- Your solicitor’s details.
The mediator will then consider whether your case is suitable for mediation.
What happens in family mediation?
Mediation can be used to help resolve various family law issues, such as:
- Child arrangements.
- Financial issues.
- Child maintenance payments.
- Parenting disputes.
- Specific issues, including holidays abroad, arrangements for special occasions, and schooling.
A professional family mediator will facilitate conversations between you and your ex-partner to see if you can reach an agreement between yourselves over the various arrangements you need to make.
They won’t suggest a reconciliation and don’t take sides. Rather, a mediator will listen to the parties involved and help suggest solutions that feel fair.
A mediator will record what you have agreed in a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’, which your solicitor can make legally binding through a consent order.
Any agreement reached in mediation does not become legally binding until each party has taken independent legal advice.
Family lawyers at Langley Wellington can offer this support and advice.
In certain circumstances, particularly when dealing with finances, the agreement reached in mediation should be approved by the court to ensure that a full and final clean break settlement is achieved.
Family Lawyers Gloucestershire
The FMC’s Family Mediation Week aims to let more people know about the benefits of family mediation and encourage separating couples to think about family mediation as a way of helping them take control, make decisions together and build a positive future for their family.
At Langley Wellington, we are proud to support the initiative.
Our specialist family lawyers can help with a broad range of family law issues, including divorce and separation, child law matters and matrimonial finance.
Regardless of the complexity of your family circumstances or dispute, Langley Wellington’s experienced and reliable family law team in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds have the knowledge to assist.
We pride ourselves on handling difficult and delicate cases with the utmost sensitivity and attention, ensuring the right solution is found for you and your family whilst supporting you throughout.
Our family law service includes legal advice on:
- Divorce and Separation.
- Cohabitation Agreements.
- Child Law Legal Services.
- Finances on Divorce and Separation.
- Pre-nuptial and Post-nuptial Agreements.
To speak with a member of our team today, please call 01452 521 286 (Gloucester Office), 01242 269 998 (Cheltenham Office), email lawyers@langleywellington.co.uk or fill in this contact form.
All of our work is executed with complete confidentiality, allowing you to have peace of mind. For you, your family and your business.
This blog is not intended to be taken as advice or acted upon. If you are seeking legal advice, please get in touch with our team of solicitors.
