NB: if the other person is willing to consider mediation, there is no further charge for the second MIAM. However, if the other party is not prepared to attend, the fee also includes issuing the certificate which is required before making a court application.
0161 477 7763
Mediation Costs
Manchester & Cheshire Mediation
Mediation Costs
We can undertake both private and legal aid work (Yes there is still legal aid for mediation!) The good news for some privately paying clients is that, if the other person qualifies for legal aid, the Legal Aid Agency will now pay for one mediation session for BOTH clients and therefore, in many cases the first mediation session is free.
"When a relationship breaks down, emotions run high and talking face to face can seem the hardest thing to do."
Our Pricing Structure
Private Rates
£120.00
per session
MIAMs (Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings)
Mediation Meetings
£120.00
per person, per hour
We usually work in slots of 1½ hours (although you can have shorter or longer slots by prior arrangement)
There may be between 1 and 5 joint appointments depending on the issues to be resolved, the Mediator helps you achieve realistic proposals, the Mediator may give legal/financial information.
Child-only Summary
£50.00
per summary, per person
This is a document prepared by the mediator outlining any proposals made regarding the children
This is a document prepared by the mediator, it records any proposals made regarding finances and children.
All-issues Summary
£100.00
per summary, per person
This is a document prepared by the mediator, it records any proposals made regarding finances and children
The preparation of summaries is undertaken at the end of the mediation process. It is a useful and confidential working document designed to assist you and your legal representatives
Summary fees are payable within the first mediation session
At present, we do not charge VAT, however, it is probable that this will change in the future. We do not charge for telephone calls, letters written/received or administration time. *NB if the other party is eligible for Legal Aid, the Legal Aid Agency will contribute to a privately paying client’s first mediation session. For further details please read the section below.
Legal Aid
Contrary to popular belief, there is still Legal Aid for mediation. Unlike solicitors, the individual mediator must be qualified to undertake legal aid work. All the mediators at Manchester and Cheshire Mediation are fully qualified and can, therefore do legal aid mediations.
Please note that if either person qualifies for legal aid, the Legal Aid Agency will pay for first mediation meeting for BOTH clients (although they will not pay for the private client’s summary or for subsequent meetings). You may also be able to access some free legal advice under the Help with Mediation scheme. To make matters as simple as possible, all cases can be referred to us, whether the clients are private or legal aided, and we will do any necessary administration.
Examples of how much you might pay for mediation:
Example A
Example B
Example C
Example A
Miss A comes to a MIAM to sort out issues relating to the children. She qualifies for Legal Aid. After being contacted by Child and Family Mediation, her former partner Mr B attends a MIAM and is willing to mediate (he does not qualify for legal aid). There is one session and matters are resolved.
Miss A’s total costs are:
- NIL for the MIAM (as she is eligible for Legal Aid)
- NIL for the mediation meeting
- NIL for the summary
Total Costs: £NIL
Mr B’s total costs are:
- NIL for the MIAM (as she is eligible for Legal Aid)
- NIL for the mediation session (because it is paid for by the LAA as Miss A is eligible for Legal Aid)
- £50 for the summary
Total Costs: £50.00
(NB. For any subsequent meetings, Mr B would pay £120/hour)
Example B
Mr C is unhappy with the arrangements to see his children. He is on a low income. When he comes to the MIAM, he is assessed as qualifying for legal aid. He does not know whether the children’s mother will mediate. We try to make contact with her but she does not respond. As mediation is not going ahead, Mr B wants to apply to court for a Child Arrangements Order. We issue the C100 certificate (formerly FM1), which Mr C requires as part of his application.
Mr C’s total costs are:
- NIL for the MIAM
- NIL for the Willingness Test i.e to find out if the mother is willing to mediate
- NIL for the C100 certificate
Total Costs: £NIL
(NB. If Mr C had not qualified for Legal Aid, his total costs would have been £120)
Example C
Mrs D wants to sort out financial matters. She makes a referral to Child and Family Mediation. She knows that she will not qualify for legal aid. She attends a half hour MIAM after which she is clear that mediation is the right process for her. She is unsure whether Mr D will try mediation. We contact him and he attends a MIAM, after which he agrees to attend joint meetings with Mrs D. He, too, is privately paying. They are able to settle matters after 3 joint sessions of 1½ hours each.
Mrs D’s total costs are:
- £120 for the MIAM (payable when arranging the appointment)
- £280 (payable at or before the first joint mediation meeting (£180 for the meeting and £100 for the summary)
- £180 (payable at or before the second joint meeting)
- £180 (payable at or before the third joint meeting)
Total Costs: £760
Mr D’s total costs are:
- NIL for the MIAM as the fee paid by Mrs A covers individual meetings for each of them
- £280 (payable at or before the first joint mediation meeting (£180 for the meeting and £100 for the summary)
- £180 (payable at or before the second joint meeting)
- £180 (payable at or before the third joint meeting)
Total Costs: £640.00
