Legal Aid Costs

Family Mediation South East have a contract from the Legal Aid Agency and can offer Legal Aid for those who are eligible.

At your initial MIAMs appointment, our mediator will carry out an assessment, which is based on your income for the previous 30 days, any capital you may have and certain listed outgoings.

The assessment will be carried out whilst you are present and is dependent upon the correct information being provided. If you provide proof of the correct information you will be informed immediately whether or not you are eligible for Legal Aid.

If one party is eligible for Legal Aid, both parties will receive a free MIAM and a free joint mediation appointment.

Examples of the sort of proof you may have to provide to demonstrate your income

Wage slips – Child Benefit - Child Maintenance - Current Bank Statement
Proof of benefits (Universal Credit, JSA, ESA, Income Support and others )
For the self employed – trading accounts – bank statement – tax return

Examples of the sort of proof of outgoings you may have to provide

Rent – Mortgage – Cost of lodging - Childcare costs - Maintenance

Examples of the sort of proof of capital you may have to provide

House valuation – Mortgage details – Savings/Investments

Please note: unless all necessary proof is provided, we will not be able to offer Legal Aid.
If you are unsure about any of this please contact your mediator before the appointment or use the online Legal Aid calculator at www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid and click “yes” that your mediation has started.

What does it mean to be eligible for legal aid?

If you are eligible for Legal Aid your mediation will be completely free of charge.

Costs (Private)

Family Mediation South East offer mediation to those who are not eligible for Legal Aid and charge on a “per person” basis for mediation that is undertaken.

If one party is eligible for Legal Aid, both parties will receive a free Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM) and a free joint mediation appointment.