Mediation Costs in the UK
Mediation has become increasingly popular as a way to resolve disputes. It can be far cheaper than litigation and is a lot less stressful for everyone involved. However, there are a number of costs that need to be considered when considering mediation as the cost can add up over time. This article is aimed at helping people understand what the different types of costs associated with mediation are and how they can be managed.
It is important to note that a lot of mediation cases will require more than one session in order to reach an agreement. It is also important to note that the more sessions a case requires the more costly it will be.
There are a number of factors that determine how many sessions a case will need. These include the number of issues in dispute, the complexity of these issues and whether there are children involved. The average length of a mediation session is around an hour and a half.
A session is usually led by the mediator and will involve both parties. Each person will have the opportunity to speak about their own situation and the options available to them for resolution of the issues in dispute. The mediator will then work with the parties to come up with proposals for resolution of the issues. This will usually involve creating a Memorandum of Understanding and an Open Financial Summary. The mediator will then use this information to produce the draft documentation for both parties to review and sign.
The cost of a session is generally PS150 per party per session. A charge will be made for drafting letters or summaries of discussions following a mediation session and also for the final summary documentation. These charges will be discussed with you by your mediator at your Information and Assessment Meeting so that there are no nasty surprises.
If a client is eligible for legal aid, the cost of mediation will be covered by the Ministry of Justice voucher scheme. This is a fantastic initiative that makes mediation far more affordable for people who may not otherwise be able to access it. Adrienne will assess each case individually and if a client is eligible she will arrange for them to be allocated a solicitor who can offer 30 minutes free advice prior to any mediation costs being incurred.
Aside from the fee charged for mediation sessions, there are other costs that need to be taken into account when mediating. These can include the cost of the venue, catering (if required) and accommodation for the mediator if it is not in their home.
A typical property, finance and child case will take 3-5 mediation sessions over 3-4 months. This is a much shorter period than it would take to resolve the same case via the courts which could take up to 24 months! We encourage anyone who is thinking about getting separated to consider mediation. If you are unsure about how the process works or need to book your MIAMS please contact Coles Miller on 01202 355698. mediation costs uk