Family Mediation — Leeds, Yorkshire & the North East: the calmer path before court

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

What mediation is

Family mediation is a process where a trained, independent mediator helps you and your ex-partner work out arrangements for children, money or property yourselves — instead of asking a judge to decide. The mediator doesn't take sides or impose a decision; they run structured, practical discussions. Agreements reached can be recorded and, if you both want, made binding by the court.

What a MIAM is — and why you'll hear about it

A Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) is a short first meeting with an accredited mediator to see whether mediation suits your situation. You normally must consider a MIAM before applying to court for most child or financial orders (C100, Form A) — the form asks you to confirm it, or to claim an exemption (domestic abuse is a recognised exemption).

Finding an accredited mediator in Leeds, Yorkshire & the North East

Mediators serve Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Hull, Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and the surrounding towns. Search the Family Mediation Council (FMC) register — the only list of mediators accredited to carry out MIAMs and the voucher scheme:

FMC find-a-mediator search: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/

YourFamilyCase lists no single provider and takes no payment from mediators — choose from the register by location, availability and whether they offer legal-aid work.

Costs — the honest picture

MIAM: roughly £120 per person if you pay (varies by mediator and area).
£500 mediation voucher: for eligible child-arrangements cases, a government contribution of up to £500 towards sessions (not the MIAM); FMC-accredited mediators only. Finance-only disputes don't qualify — cases covering both children and money do.
Legal aid: still covers the MIAM and sessions for those eligible (with mediators doing legal-aid work); if one of you qualifies, the other can still get the voucher. Check: https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid

When mediation is NOT suitable

Mediation is voluntary and isn't safe or workable in every situation — notably where there is domestic abuse, coercive control, or an imbalance of power. A good mediator screens for this at the MIAM. If that's your situation you are exempt from the MIAM requirement and can apply to court directly; see our FL401 safety guide and the Refuge helpline 0808 2000 247. Use a safe device when researching — calls and browsing can be monitored. Emergency: 999.

How it fits your family court case

Mediation can resolve everything without a hearing, or narrow the dispute so the court only decides what's left. Most families who complete mediation avoid court entirely.

Official links

FMC register: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator/
Voucher scheme: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation-voucher-scheme
Mediation overview: https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/mediation
Legal aid check: https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid

This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory, takes no payment from any mediator, and is not affiliated with the FMC, HMCTS or gov.uk.

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.