Family Law & Mediation
Understanding how UK family law works and where mediation fits within the legal framework.
The Legal Landscape
In England and Wales, the family courts deal with a range of disputes including divorce, child arrangements, financial matters on separation, and applications for orders to protect individuals.
Following significant changes to family law legislation, it is now a mandatory requirement for most applicants to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before making a court application. The court will expect you to have genuinely considered mediation before it agrees to hear your case.
Mediation is not just an alternative — for many families it is a superior option that produces fairer, more durable outcomes while preserving important relationships and protecting children from the trauma of prolonged court conflict.
A Judge Will Expect You to Have Considered Mediation
Courts can refuse to hear your case until you have attended a MIAM. Failing to do so can cost you time, money and the court's goodwill.
MIAM Exemptions Book a MIAMWhere Mediation Can Help
Child Arrangements Orders
Deciding where a child lives and how much time they spend with each parent. Mediation is strongly preferred over contested court hearings for these deeply personal decisions.
Financial Remedy Orders
Division of the family home, pensions, savings and other assets on divorce or dissolution. Mediation saves thousands and produces agreements both parties can accept.
Divorce & Dissolution
While divorce itself must go through the courts, all the associated decisions — children, finances, property — can be resolved through mediation before or alongside the divorce process.
Non-Molestation Orders
Where domestic abuse is involved, MIAM exemptions apply. Our mediators are trained to identify safeguarding concerns and ensure all clients are protected throughout.
Special Guardianship
Arrangements for children to live with someone other than their parents. Family mediation can help relatives agree on the best arrangements for the child's wellbeing.
Consent Orders
Once an agreement is reached in mediation, a solicitor can draft a Consent Order to make it legally binding and enforceable by the court — giving both parties full legal protection.
Important Legal Notice
Mutual Mediation provides mediation services, not legal advice. We strongly recommend you obtain independent legal advice from a qualified solicitor before signing any legally binding agreement. We can provide referrals to specialist family solicitors if required.