Fees & Terms | FHC For Mediation

Ministry of Justice

FHC for Mediation is a member of the CMC and is a fully accredited mediator provider

How is mediation funded and how much will it cost? What is the length of the mediation?

This will be subject to the type and complexity of the dispute however a quote will be provided in advance of the mediation, which is typically equally shared between the parties.

A breakdown quote to include an initial discussion, review of documentation, mediation and, if required, a statement which you can then register with the court to request for the settlement to be approved as legally binding.

FHC for Mediation operate a simple and transparent pricing policy.

The mediator’s hourly rates will vary depending on the type and complexity of the issues, the seniority of the mediator chosen, and the value of the dispute involved.

A total costing will be provided to the parties and, if agreed, will be split jointly between both parties and the payment is made in advance of the mediation. All mediation costs will be fully discussed with both parties before your mediator is instructed and appointed.

It is generally accepted that mediation is a far less costly method of settling a dispute than conventional litigation.

Amount you are claiming	Fees per party	Length of session
£15,000.00 or less	£300 + VAT per party	3 hours
£15,000.00 to £50,000.00	£500 + VAT per party	4 hours
£50,000.00 and above	Quote to be supplied on request	Full day

Telephone mediations of up to 60 minutes are available for £75.00 per party

Preparation and reading (if required) plus the mediator’s travel fee will be additional to the above.

If the mediation exceeds the pre-agreed length of session, additional time will be charged at the mediator’s hourly rate and this will be agreed with both parties before it takes place.

Typically, most mediations are resolved and an agreed settlement/resolution is reached within a day although some mediations ay require more than 1 session

Family Mediation

When applying for a court order in many types of family law disputes, you must demonstrate to the court that you have considered family mediation by attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) or first meeting, unless you are exempt. A MIAM is a brief meeting with a qualified mediator who will provide you with information about mediation as a means of resolving your issues. During the MIAM, the mediator will assess whether mediation is appropriate based on your individual circumstances. Both parties are required to attend a MIAM before starting mediation, which can be done together or separately.

The fee for the MIAM will be dependent on the mediator and your eligibility for the voucher scheme. You can find out if you are eligible via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation-voucher-scheme. As a guide, you can expect to pay £120.00 per party.

Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: This time-limited scheme, introduced by the Government in response to COVID-19, aims to support parties in resolving their family disputes outside of court. It is part of the effort to aid recovery in the family court system and encourage mediation where suitable. The scheme offers a financial contribution of up to £500.00 toward the costs of mediation, if you are eligible for legal aid. Vouchers are limited in number (1 per family) and will be offered to eligible parties until they are no longer available. Your mediator will let you know if there are vouchers available.

Not all cases qualify for the scheme; the following case types are eligible for a mediation voucher:-

Disputes or applications regarding a child
Disputes or applications concerning family financial matters, where there is also an associated dispute or application related to a child

It is important to note that mediation is only viable if both parties agree to participate. Therefore, both you and the other person must agree to mediate.

If you choose to proceed with mediation and are eligible for the voucher, your family mediator will apply for the funding on your behalf. The voucher will be paid directly to the mediator upon the conclusion of all mediation sessions. You will not receive a physical voucher and do not need to apply for it yourself.

Consent Order

A further fee (approximately £45.00-£55.00) will be charged, subject to the mediation dispute, once an agreement is reached during mediation, the mediator will document the joint proposals in writing. This allows you to review the terms with a legal adviser before formalising the agreement. You can either establish it as a contractual Separation Agreement between the parties or request court approval in the form of a Consent Order.

If your agreement pertains to the detailed arrangements for your children, a Statement of Outcome can be produced to formalise these arrangements.

For mediations involving property and finance, a Memorandum of Understanding can be prepared at the conclusion of the process. This document details the agreed-upon proposals, including the reasoning behind them. The Memorandum provides a clear summary of your current and proposed future financial situations, as well as the practical implications of the agreements reached.

Cancellation Fees

Fees are usually paid 14 days before the mediation takes place. Cancellation charges, if any Party cancels the Mediation, the following proportion of the Mediator fee will be payable by each Party in equal shares:-

If the cancellation is made less than 2 working days before the date of the Mediation, the full Mediator fee
If the cancellation is made less than 7 working days before the date of the Mediation, 50% of the Mediator fee.

The above are made without prejudice to a Party’s rights to recover such sums from any Party it may consider to be at fault for the cancellation.