Real, named, verifiable
Our mediators
Every MIAM is conducted by one of our named family mediators, not an anonymous call-centre assessor. All of them are registered with the Family Mediation Council and appear on its public register, so you can check any of them yourself. Six are fully accredited (FMCA) and sign court forms themselves. Two more are registered and completing their accreditation, conducting MIAMs while an accredited colleague signs their court forms, which is permitted under FMC rules.
They are supported by a professional practice supervisor, a director responsible for our content and client care, and a managing director. We name everyone, because you should be able to see exactly who you are dealing with.
Last reviewed · 12 June 2026 · Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy
All mediators registered with the Family Mediation Council · Court forms signed by accredited mediators under FPR r.3.9(1)
Accredited mediators
Each of these mediators is accredited by the Family Mediation Council (FMCA) and is authorised to conduct your MIAM and sign your court form. Every one can be verified on the FMC’s public register.
Rachel Poole
Accredited family and child-inclusive mediator with particular experience of complex financial cases, drawing on her career in the City. She is also a Professional Practice Consultant who supervises other mediators.
Also a member of the Family Mediators Association · LinkedIn
Chris Yaffes
Accredited family and child-inclusive mediator practising since 2013, with a focus on expatriate and international families. Originally trained as a lawyer in South Africa.
Also a member of the FMA and Resolution · LinkedIn
Penny Hogan
Accredited family mediator since 2021 and a trained counsellor, bringing strong listening skills and a calm, empathetic approach to difficult conversations.
Also a member of the FMA and BACP · LinkedIn
Neil Sykes
Accredited family mediator and separation coach practising since 2017, after a 20-year career in the public sector. Pragmatic and realistic, focused on fair, low-conflict outcomes.
Also a member of the College of Mediators · LinkedIn
Kate Miller
Accredited family mediator with a law degree and a master’s in International Human Rights Law, and a qualified Mental Health First Aider. She combines legal insight with real emotional awareness.
Also a member of the Family Mediators Association · LinkedIn
Hannah Shapey
Accredited family mediator who spent over ten years as a secondary school teacher. Calm and structured, with particular insight into how separation affects children.
Also a member of the College of Mediators
Mediators working towards accreditation
These mediators are registered with the Family Mediation Council and conduct MIAMs while completing their accreditation. As they are not yet accredited, an accredited mediator from our team reviews and signs the court forms from their MIAMs, which is permitted under FMC rules. They are on the public register too, so you can verify them in the same way.
Mitchell Robertson
A trained family mediator completing his accreditation, with a financial background as a derivatives broker and business analyst. He brings strong negotiation skills and personal experience of separation.
Also a member of the College of Mediators · LinkedIn
Allison Borchardt
A trained family, workplace and civil mediator completing her accreditation, with a background in healthcare and conflict resolution. She mediates nationally and internationally.
Also a member of the College of Mediators · LinkedIn
The team behind your mediation
Our mediators are supported by experienced colleagues who keep the quality high and the process running smoothly.
Amanda Lewis
A former family law solicitor and Professional Practice Consultant. Amanda supervises our mediators to keep their practice accurate and compliant, rather than conducting MIAMs herself, and is trained to deliver the court-approved Separated Parent Information Programme.
Also a member of the Family Mediators Association · LinkedIn
Jess Knauf
Jess is responsible for our content and the experience clients have from first enquiry onwards, and reviews the guidance across this site.
Belinda Atkins
Belinda is our named managing director on the Legal Aid Agency contract, with overall responsibility for the running of the service.
What the letters after their names mean
Mediation has its own accreditations and roles. Here is what ours mean:
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| FMC registered | Every one of our mediators is registered with the Family Mediation Council and appears on its public register. Registration means they are trained, insured and working to FMC standards. |
| FMCA | Family Mediation Council Accredited. The recognised higher standard. Only an FMCA mediator can sign the court form that lets your application proceed. |
| Working towards accreditation | A registered, trained mediator completing the portfolio of work required for full accreditation. They conduct MIAMs, and an accredited mediator signs the court forms. |
| PPC | Professional Practice Consultant. An experienced mediator who supervises others to maintain quality and compliance. |
| CIM | Child-Inclusive Mediation. Additional training to involve children’s views safely, where that is appropriate. |
Your MIAM, with a named mediator you can verify. Book online at a time that suits you, or, if you would like to talk first, book a free 15-minute call.
Quick answers
Our mediators: common questions
Can I choose which mediator conducts my MIAM?
We match you with an available mediator so you can be seen quickly. If you have a preference, for example a mediator with particular experience of financial or international cases, let us know and we will do our best to accommodate it.
Are mediators working towards accreditation qualified to do my MIAM?
Yes. They are trained, registered mediators. Because they are still completing their accreditation, an accredited mediator from our team reviews and signs the court forms from their MIAMs, which is permitted under Family Mediation Council rules. Your form is always signed by an accredited mediator.
How do I check a mediator is genuine?
Every mediator above links to their entry on the Family Mediation Council’s public register, so you can confirm it yourself. You can also search the register directly.
Who signs my court form?
An FMC-accredited mediator, always. That is either the accredited mediator who conducted your MIAM, or, for a mediator still completing accreditation, the accredited colleague who reviews and signs the form.
Will the same mediator handle my mediation if I go ahead?
Usually, yes. Continuing with the mediator who conducted your MIAM means you do not have to explain your situation twice. Our office arranges your joint sessions after your MIAM.
Sources and further reading
- Family Mediation Council, find a mediator (public register)
- Family Mediation Council, about accreditation
- Family Procedure Rules, Part 3, rule 3.9(1)
Reviewed by Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy, Mediate UK. MIAM UK is a trading name of Family Legal Ltd. Last reviewed 12 June 2026.