Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: Your Complete Guide

Key Takeaways

• The government contributes up to £500 per family towards joint mediation session costs.
• Eligibility is not means-tested, your income or assets do not affect whether you qualify.
• Your dispute must involve arrangements for children (at least in part), finance-only cases do not qualify.
• The voucher applies only to joint mediation sessions, not to your initial MIAM / pre-mediation meeting.
• Your mediator applies for the voucher on your behalf, you do not need to apply directly to the government.
• The scheme has been extended for 2026/27 and has helped over 54,000 families to date.

What Is Family Mediation?

Family mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which an independent, professionally trained mediator helps separating couples reach agreements about important matters such as arrangements for children, finances and property. Unlike court proceedings, mediation puts both parties in control of the outcome.

At Fullers Family Law, our mediator is Jane-Louise Burrows, a Director, Solicitor and Mediator with over 30 years of experience in family law. Jane-Louise is dual-qualified as both a solicitor and a mediator, which means she brings a thorough understanding of the legal framework to every mediation she facilitates. Mediation sessions are available in person at our offices or online, depending on participants' location and preferences.

Mediation does not replace independent legal advice. You are strongly encouraged to consult a solicitor between sessions and before signing any agreement. Any financial settlement reached through mediation must be made into a consent order by a lawyer and approved by the court to become legally binding.

What Is a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting)?

Before joint mediation begins, each participant attends an individual Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). This is a private, one-to-one meeting with the mediator. MIAMs have been a feature of the family law process in England and Wales since 2014.

At Fullers Family Law, a MIAM costs £150 per person (including VAT). The meeting covers the following:

• An explanation of how mediation works and what it involves
• An assessment of whether mediation is suitable and safe in your circumstances
• A screening for any issues (such as domestic abuse) that might make mediation inappropriate
• An opportunity for you to explain the outcome you are hoping to achieve
• A discussion of alternative options if mediation is not right for your situation

If both parties are assessed as suitable and wish to proceed, joint mediation sessions are arranged. If one party does not wish to proceed or mediation is found to be unsuitable, the mediator can issue a MIAM certificate (sometimes called an FM1 form). This document is required if you subsequently wish to make a court application.

Each participant attends their MIAM separately, as this allows the mediator to screen confidentially for suitability. The MIAM is not covered by the mediation voucher.

What Does the £500 Voucher Actually Cover?

The £500 government contribution applies specifically to joint mediation sessions, the meetings in which both parties come together (or connect remotely) to discuss and work towards an agreement. It does not cover the MIAM or any pre-mediation preparation costs.

The voucher is paid directly to the mediation provider (Fullers Family Law), not to you as an individual. There is no physical voucher or token to manage. The amount is simply deducted from your overall mediation bill.

If your mediation sessions cost more than £500 in total, you will be responsible for the difference. The number of sessions required varies depending on the complexity of the matters being discussed.

Who Is Eligible for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme?

To qualify for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, the following criteria must be met:

• The dispute must involve arrangements for children, at least in part. Both parties must be discussing child arrangements as part of the mediation, even if finances are also on the agenda.
• The case must not be solely about finances. If the mediation relates only to financial matters and there are no child arrangement issues involved, the voucher cannot be applied.
• Both parties must consent to mediation. The scheme cannot be applied if either party is unwilling to participate.
• The mediator must be FMC-accredited. Fullers Family Law is accredited by the Family Mediation Council and registered to administer the scheme.
• You must not have previously received a voucher for the same dispute.

Eligibility is not means-tested. Your income, savings or assets have no bearing on whether you qualify.

How to Apply: The Mediation Process Step by Step

You do not apply directly to the government for a mediation voucher. Your mediator handles the application on your behalf once eligibility has been confirmed. Here is how the process works:

1. Contact us to discuss mediation. Call us on 01234 343134 or book a free callback online. A member of the team will explain the process and answer initial questions.
2. Attend your MIAM. Each party attends an individual Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting with Jane-Louise Burrows. The MIAM costs £150 per person (including VAT) and is not covered by the voucher.
3. Confirm suitability and willingness to proceed. If both parties are assessed as suitable and willing to participate in mediation, joint sessions are arranged.
4. The voucher is applied for on your behalf. Once it is confirmed that your case qualifies (it involves child arrangements), Fullers applies for the £500 voucher and claims the contribution directly with the FMC after the conclusion of your mediation.
5. Attend joint mediation sessions. These sessions bring both parties together, in person or online, to work through the issues. The £500 contribution is applied against the cost of these sessions.
6. Reach a memorandum of understanding. If an agreement is reached, the mediator documents this in a memorandum of understanding. For financial agreements, this will then need to be converted into a legally binding consent order by a solicitor.

What If Mediation Does Not Succeed?

Mediation is voluntary and there is no obligation on either party to reach an agreement. If mediation sessions break down or one party does not wish to continue, the mediator will issue an FM1 form confirming attendance. This document is required if you subsequently wish to apply to the family court.

The fact that mediation has not succeeded does not prejudice your position in any subsequent court proceedings. The content of mediation sessions is confidential and without prejudice.

A memorandum of understanding produced in mediation is not automatically legally binding. To make any financial agreement enforceable, it must be converted into a consent order by a solicitor and approved by the court.

Are Children Involved in Mediation Sessions?

Children do not attend standard mediation sessions at Fullers Family Law. Joint mediation meetings are between the two adult parties only.

Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) is a separate, specialist process in which a trained Child Inclusive Mediator meets privately with children to give them a voice in the process. The Child Inclusive Mediator then feeds back the children's views (in a way that protects their confidentiality) to the parents in a joint session with their mediator. This is conducted by a separately qualified professional and is distinct from standard family mediation.

If you have concerns about your child's legal position, speaking to a child law solicitor can help clarify your options.

Is the Mediation Voucher Scheme Still Available in 2026?

Yes. As of 2026, the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme continues to be available. The scheme was introduced in April 2021 as part of the government's response to rising family court backlogs. It has been extended and expanded several times since then, with funding growing to £15 million in 2025/26 as demand has increased.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed its expectation that funding will continue into 2026/27, and the Family Mediation Council has advised accredited providers to continue processing vouchers while formal confirmation is finalised.

Since its introduction, the scheme has helped over 54,000 families. Government analysis shows that around 69% of participants reach a full or partial agreement through mediation, avoiding the need for contested court hearings.

As the scheme is subject to ongoing government review, we recommend contacting Fullers directly for the most up-to-date information on availability.

The Benefits of Choosing Mediation

Family mediation offers a number of significant advantages over court proceedings:

• Cost: Mediation is typically far less expensive than litigation, particularly when supported by the voucher scheme.
• Speed: Mediation can be arranged more quickly than a court hearing and often reaches a resolution in fewer sessions.
• Control: Both parties retain control over the outcome, rather than having a decision imposed by a judge.
• Confidentiality: Everything discussed in mediation is confidential and without prejudice.
• Flexibility: Sessions can take place in person or online, and can be scheduled around work and family commitments.
• Reduced conflict: A skilled mediator helps keep discussions constructive, which is particularly important where children are involved.
• Better long-term outcomes: Research suggests that agreements reached through mediation are more durable because both parties have ownership of the decision.

When Should You Seek Legal Advice?

Mediation is not a substitute for independent legal advice, and there are circumstances in which it may not be appropriate or sufficient on its own. You should speak to a family law solicitor if:

• There are concerns about domestic abuse, coercive control or an imbalance of power between parties.
• One party is not willing to provide full financial disclosure.
• Child protection concerns are involved.
• An urgent court order is required, for example a prohibited steps order.
• Mediation has broken down and you need to consider court proceedings.
• You want legal advice on an agreement reached in mediation before signing.

Even if mediation is the right route for your situation, it is good practice to take legal advice before and after sessions to make sure you fully understand the implications of any agreement you are considering.

Speak to Our Mediation Team

Jane-Louise Burrows, our Director, Solicitor and Mediator, has over 30 years of experience in family law and conducts all mediation sessions personally.

Fullers Family Law is accredited by the Family Mediation Council and registered for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.

We offer an initial free callback so you can ask questions and find out whether mediation is right for your situation, with no obligation.