Family Law

Divorce Mediation Cost: £500 to £1,500 per Person

Q: How much does divorce mediation cost?

Family mediation typically costs £500 to £1,500 per person in total, spread across three to five sessions at £100 to £200 per person per session. The first meeting, called a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting), costs around £90 to £150. This is far cheaper than contesting a financial dispute through solicitors and the courts, which can run to £5,000 to £30,000 or more per person.

Q: Is family mediation free?

It can be. The government's Family Mediation Voucher Scheme offers up to £500 towards mediation for cases involving children, which for many couples covers most or all of the cost. Mediation is also free for anyone who qualifies for legal aid on financial grounds. Ask your mediator whether you are eligible for the voucher or for legal aid before you pay.

Q: Do I still need a solicitor if I use mediation?

Usually yes, but only for a small fixed fee at the end. Mediation produces a Memorandum of Understanding, which is not legally binding on its own. To make your agreement enforceable you need a solicitor to draft it into a consent order and submit it to the court. That typically costs £500 to £1,500 plus VAT plus the court fee, which is still far less than a contested case.

Updated July 2026. Mediation is the cheapest way to resolve the finances and arrangements for children when you cannot agree everything yourselves. Here is the cost per session, the free voucher scheme, and how it compares with litigating through solicitors.

MIAM (first meeting)

£90-£150

Per person, one-off

Per session

£100-£200

Per person, 3-5 sessions typical

Total mediation

£500-£1,500

Per person, before consent order

You may pay nothing for children cases

The government's Family Mediation Voucher Scheme provides up to £500 towards mediation where child arrangements are involved. For many couples that covers most or all of the cost. Mediation is also free if you qualify for legal aid on financial grounds. Ask your mediator to check your eligibility before you pay anything.

What mediation costs, step by step

Stage	Typical cost	What happens
MIAM assessment	£90-£150 pp	Required first meeting; also the gateway to court if mediation is not suitable
Mediation sessions	£100-£200 pp each	Usually 3 to 5 sessions of 60 to 90 minutes
Memorandum of Understanding	Usually included	Written summary of what you agreed; not legally binding
Open Financial Statement	Usually included	The financial disclosure both sides sign up to
Consent order (via solicitor)	£500-£1,500 + VAT	Makes the agreement legally binding; plus the court fee

pp = per person. Many mediators charge each person separately; some couples split a single session fee.

Mediation vs solicitors vs court

Route	Typical cost (per person)	Best for
Mediation + consent order	£1,000-£3,000	You disagree on some points but both want to settle out of court
Solicitor negotiation	£2,000-£10,000	You want a solicitor to negotiate on your behalf without full litigation
Contested court proceedings	£5,000-£30,000+	You cannot agree and need a judge to decide finances or children

Mediation does not replace the consent order

A common and costly misunderstanding: what you agree in mediation is not legally binding until a solicitor drafts it into a consent order and the court approves it. Budget the small fixed fee for that step. Skipping it leaves either party free to reopen the finances years later. See consent order costs.

To find an accredited mediator, use the Family Mediation Council directory. For the wider picture of what a divorce costs by route, see the full divorce cost breakdown, or find a family solicitor in your area via divorce solicitors by city.

Divorce mediation FAQs

How much does divorce mediation cost?

Typically £500 to £1,500 per person in total, across three to five sessions at £100 to £200 per person each, plus a MIAM first meeting at around £90 to £150. That is far cheaper than contesting a financial dispute through solicitors and the courts (£5,000 to £30,000+ per person).

Is family mediation free?

It can be. The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme offers up to £500 towards mediation for cases involving children, which often covers most or all of the cost. Mediation is also free if you qualify for legal aid on financial grounds. Ask your mediator to check eligibility.

Do I still need a solicitor if I use mediation?

Usually only for a small fixed fee at the end. Mediation produces a Memorandum of Understanding, which is not binding on its own. A solicitor drafts it into a consent order and submits it to court, typically £500 to £1,500 plus VAT plus the court fee.

Is mediation cheaper than using solicitors?

Almost always, when the alternative is a contested dispute. A full mediated settlement plus a consent order might total £1,500 to £3,000 across both people, versus £5,000 to £30,000+ per person to litigate. Mediation is also faster and keeps decisions with the couple.

Divorce Cost 2026 Cheap Divorce Solicitors by City Family Law Cost