The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme — £500 explained (2029 extension)

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-30

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme (FMVS) gives separating families up to £500 towards the cost of mediation when the dispute involves children. The Ministry of Justice extended the scheme under Practice Direction 36V, which now runs until the end of 31 March 2029, and the scheme has supported more than 54,000 parents since 2021. This guide explains who qualifies and how it works. It is general information, not legal advice.

The essentials

Amount: up to £500 per case (per family, not per person)
Covers: joint mediation sessions — the meetings where both parties work through the dispute with the mediator
Does not cover: the MIAM (the initial assessment meeting), solicitor advice, or court fees
Not means-tested — your income, savings and assets don't matter
Eligibility: the case must involve child arrangements (or finances alongside a children dispute); finance-only cases don't qualify
One voucher per family — no second voucher if your circumstances change
Claimed by your mediator — you don't handle any paperwork; the mediator checks eligibility and deducts it from the joint session fees

The legal basis

Practice Direction 36V supplements rule 36.2 of the Family Procedure Rules and sets out eligibility in statutory terms: a person is eligible where they have attended a MIAM (whether required to or directed to), they are a party to (or prospective) private law children proceedings — or financial remedy proceedings where children proceedings are also in play — and funding under the scheme remains available. The PD was amended in 2026 to extend the scheme to 31 March 2029.

Why the government funds it

The scheme has two stated aims: to reduce pressure on family courts by encouraging out-of-court resolution, and to build an evidence base on whether financial incentives increase mediation uptake. The MoJ reports around two-thirds of voucher-funded cases reach full or partial agreement, keeping thousands of cases out of the court list each year.

How the money works in practice

Mediation costs vary by provider, but a typical picture:

| Item | Typical cost | Voucher applies? | |---|---|---| | MIAM (per person) | £120–£150 | No | | Joint session (per couple, per hour) | £200–£340 | Yes | | Documentation (e.g. MOU/consent order draft) | Varies | Depends on provider |

So £500 typically covers most or all of the joint sessions in a focused child-arrangements mediation, leaving you to fund the MIAMs and any documentation.

How to use it

1. Book a MIAM with an FMC-accredited mediator (find one via the FMC's register) 2. At or after the MIAM, say you'd like to use the voucher scheme — the mediator assesses eligibility (children involved? funding still available?) 3. If eligible, the mediator registers the case with the scheme 4. The £500 is deducted from your joint session fees as you go — nothing for you to claim 5. If your case needs more sessions than £500 covers, you pay the balance privately

Combined with legal aid

If you qualify for legal aid, your mediation is already free — the voucher isn't used for your share
If your ex is legally aided and you aren't, you can still use the voucher for your share of the joint sessions
See our guide on mediation and legal aid together for the full combinations

Caveats

Funding is finite — the scheme is extended year to year; a future year could see it paused if funds run out, so check before starting
Mediation is voluntary — the voucher can't compel your ex to take part; if they won't attend a MIAM or sessions, court remains the route
Domestic abuse and safety — mediators screen at the MIAM; mediation is not appropriate where it can't be made safe. Shuttle mediation (separate rooms/links) is possible in some cases. No one should feel pressured to mediate by the existence of the voucher

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to MoJ, FMC, or gov.uk. This page is general information and is not legal advice.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.