The short answer
At MIAM UK, the MIAM cost is £138 including VAT for a standard appointment. It is completely free if you qualify for legal aid. Separately, the £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme can put up to £500 towards mediation about children, though that helps with mediation rather than the MIAM itself.
Key facts
- A standard MIAM at MIAM UK is £138 including VAT (£115 plus VAT).
- If you qualify for legal aid, your MIAM and any mediation that follows are free.
- An urgent MIAM, booked for the same week, is £222 including VAT and includes the certificate.
- The £500 voucher is not means-tested but applies to child-arrangements mediation, not the MIAM.
Cost is one of the first things people want to understand, so let us be clear about the MIAM cost up front. A MIAM is charged as a single appointment, and for many people it is free. This guide sets out exactly what a MIAM costs at MIAM UK, when legal aid makes it free, how the £500 voucher fits in, and why fees differ between providers.
How much does a MIAM cost?
A MIAM is one meeting of about an hour, and it is priced as one appointment per person. The table below shows the cost of a MIAM at MIAM UK.
| Service | Cost (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Standard MIAM (the meeting only) | £138 (£115 + VAT) |
| MIAM certificate, if you need to apply to court (add-on) | £66 (£55 + VAT) |
| Urgent MIAM, same week, certificate included | £222 (£185 + VAT) |
| MIAM and mediation with legal aid | Free |
The standard fee covers the meeting itself. If you go on to mediation, those sessions are charged separately, and if you need the signed certificate to apply to court, that is the small add-on shown above. You can see current figures on our MIAM cost page and details of the faster service on the urgent MIAM page.
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When is a MIAM free? Legal aid explained
The most common way a MIAM becomes free is legal aid. Legal aid for family mediation is means-tested, which means it depends on your income, any benefits you receive, and your savings. If you qualify, your MIAM is free, and so is the mediation that follows. A mediator can check your eligibility for you, and you can also use our guide to free MIAMs with legal aid or the quick eligibility checker to get an idea before you book.
The £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
Separately, the £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme is a government scheme that puts up to £500 towards mediation about child arrangements. It is not means-tested, so it is not about your income, but it does apply to mediation rather than the MIAM itself, and it is for cases that involve children. There is nothing to claim yourself, your mediator applies on your behalf once you both decide to mediate. You can read the official terms on the GOV.UK voucher scheme page.
Who can use the £500 voucher
The voucher is open to anyone using mediation to sort out arrangements for a child, whether or not finances are also involved. It is not based on income, so many families who do not qualify for legal aid still benefit from it. Because schemes like this can change, it is always worth confirming the current position when you book.
From our sister service, Family Law Service
Fixed fees for the legal side too
If you want clear, fixed-fee legal help alongside mediation, whether that is advice on your finances or completing a court form, Family Law Service keeps the costs predictable.
People are often surprised by how affordable a MIAM is, and how many of them never pay a penny because of legal aid or the voucher. My advice is always to check what you qualify for before you assume you have to pay, because a great many families do not.
Why MIAM fees vary between providers
You may see different prices quoted elsewhere, and there is a reason for that. Mediators set their own fees, so the cost of a MIAM is not fixed nationally. What matters is what the fee includes. At MIAM UK, your meeting is held by a named, Family Mediation Council accredited mediator, the appointment is a full hour, and online and in-person MIAMs are treated identically by the court. A cheaper meeting that is rushed, or held by someone not yet accredited without proper oversight, is rarely the saving it appears to be.
What you get for the MIAM fee
For the standard fee, your MIAM includes:
- A full hour with an accredited family mediator, by video or phone.
- A clear explanation of mediation and the alternatives to court.
- An honest assessment of whether mediation is suitable and safe for your situation.
- A check of whether you qualify for legal aid or the voucher scheme.
To see how the MIAM fits into the wider picture, read our guide to the MIAM process explained, find out whether you need a MIAM before family court, or look at your options after a MIAM.
You don’t have to go through this on your own. The Divorce Circle is a free, private community where people across England and Wales share experiences and support each other through separation and divorce.
MIAM cost: frequently asked questions
How much does a MIAM cost in total?
Is a MIAM ever free?
Does the £500 voucher cover the MIAM?
Why is one provider’s MIAM cheaper than another’s?
Do I pay for the certificate even if I go to mediation?
Still have questions?
Not sure what a MIAM will cost you, or whether you qualify for free mediation? Talk it through with us first. A free 15-minute call comes with no obligation.