Answer

If the first meeting (MIAM) goes well and you all agree to try mediation, you will book mediation sessions. It usually takes between three and five meetings to come to agreement, depending on what you need to sort out.

The mediator will usually see you and your ex-partner together, although you should be offered the choice to see the mediator separately if you need to.

Answer

The first meeting, and mediation sessions which follow, may cost you nothing if you get legal aid. The mediator will help you work out if you can claim legal aid.

Our fees are subject to VAT and charged per person, per session and are paid in advance of your meetings

Our MIAMs cost £65 for a single appointment (£78, including VAT) and £60 for a joint appointment (£72 including VAT)

We charge an admin fee of £25 (£30, including VAT) for signing, where appropriate, court forms.

Answer

There are a number of ways of dealing with family matters without having to make an application to court.

• A divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership can only be granted by a court but this can be done without actually going to a hearing at court.
• For many people, sorting out arrangements for children and agreeing how to split property and finances can be done without involving a court at all.

If you can’t work things out between you or have a family dispute, you will be expected to try to sort it out using mediation before going to court.