Fees
If you are eligible for Legal Aid - Mediation is FREE
We have a contract with the Legal Aid Agency to provide legally aided mediation.
If you wish to be assessed for Legal Aid Funding, you will need to provide evidence about your household income received the month prior to your individual meeting date. This assessment is completed at your meeting by the Mediator.
If this information is not provided, the assessment cannot take place and our private fees will be charged at the rates set-out below.
If you are unsure about your eligibility you can also check this on the Legal Aid Agency website: http//www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid
If you are not eligible for Legal Aid but the other party is; the first joint mediation session for you both is free.
Our Private Practice Fees
If you are not eligible for Legal Aid, the following fees apply for our service:
We have a sliding scale of fees which are assessed on your household income:
| Household income over £31,884pa
|
£120 per hour per person
|
| Disposable income (from legal aid assessment) over £901 pcm | £100 per hour per person |
| Disposable income (from legal aid assessment) £0.00 - £900 pcm | £80 |
Family Mediation
| MEDIATION TYPE | CHARGE PER PERSON PER SESSION |
| Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM) | FREE (£20 booking fee payable but refunded when you attend) |
| Case Management Fee (if you decide to proceed with the mediation process) | £70 |
| Issue of Court Forms only:
(We provide the pages which verify your attendance at MIAM) |
£120 |
| Booking Fee for Joint / Shuttle Mediation Meetings – This is not refunded if there’s failure to cancel with less than 48 hours’ notice or non-attendance | £40 |
| Joint Mediation Sessions | £120 - £180 up to 1.5 hours |
| Shuttle Mediation Sessions
|
£160 - £240 up to 2 hours
|
| Child Consultation
|
Free
|
| Outcome Statements
|
Free
|
| Memorandum of Understanding | £120 - £180 1.5 hours |
Payment accepted by Cash or Card.
All fees are inclusive of 20% VAT.
A £20 booking fee will be taken when you book a MIAM appointment against non-attendance or late cancellation (less than 48 hours). If you decide to continue with mediation or to take the form for Court, the remaining balance of the fee will be payable. If you decide not to continue with the mediation process following your MIAM, you will be refunded the booking fee.
The £20 booking fee can be waived if you provide your evidence of income, proving eligibility for Legal Aid, prior to your MIAM and then all other meetings will be free.
A £40 booking fee will be taken for joint / shuttle mediation meetings. The remaining balance is payable before the meeting starts. The booking fee is non-refundable if you fail to cancel with more than 48 hours’ notice or nonattendance.
Fast Track Option
Every referral received will have the option to Fast Track the process. If you would like us to contact the other party straight away, the case management fee of £70 can be paid straight away and a letter will be sent prior to your MIAM. If, during your MIAM, you are assessed for Legal Aid and you qualify; we will refund all fees.
Evidence required for Legal Aid assessment
Your mediator will be able to assess your eligibility for funding at your initial meeting, as long as you provide the following:
For All Clients (and cohabiting partner)
· Your National Insurance number
· An estimate of the value of all capital assets, including the value of your home or any other properties
PLUS....
For those who are Employed, either full time or part-time
1. If you are paid monthly: a Payslip issued within the four week period before your meeting with the mediator or
2. If you are paid weekly: four consecutive Payslips, at least three of which fall within the four week period before your meeting with the mediator
For those who are Self-Employed
A copy of your last Tax Return plus a copy of the Accounts submitted with it.
Please note: If you believe your income has significantly changed in comparison with the previous year, you also need to bring an accounts statement for the current year.
For those receiving Income Support or Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
A current letter (dated within the last six months) advising you of your entitlement to this benefit or an amendment to the amount (your appointment card will not be enough).
For those receiving Working Tax Credit and/or Child Tax Credit
The letter informing you of this benefit (which must be no more than six months old) or a bank statement for the four week period before your meeting with the mediator showing the credit to your account
Housing Costs
If your monthly housing cost (rent or mortgage payment) is more than one third of your pre-tax monthly income you need to provide evidence of this payment.
Childcare Costs
If your childcare costs exceed £600 per month, for full-time work, or equivalent for part-time work, we will need you to provide evidence of this.