CFFM is a “not for profit” service and registered charity, aiming to help all regardless of ability to pay. Free mediation is available through Legal Aid if you are on a low income and have limited savings (see separate Leaflet re: Legal Aid).
None of the charges apply if you are eligible for Legal Aid.
Step by Step Guide:
Stage 1 – Make a Referral
To our Service via the form on our website.
A member of the team will then have a brief free telephone call back with the referrer to establish the current situation and provide information about our process.
Stage 2 – Decision to use our service (referrer)
Non-refundable ‘Referral Fee’ of £50 is payable at this point UNLESS you can promptly send in proof of ‘Passported Benefits’ for Legal Aid purposes (see leaflet). The Referral Fee covers initial administration, telephone calls and correspondence.
Once the Referral Fee has been paid (or proof of ‘Passported benefits’ has been received) we then write to the other party to engage them in the mediation process.
Stage 3 – Both of you willing to try mediation
Both parties have a FREE individual Mediation Information and Assessment session (MIAM) – up to 1 hour free.
Stage 4 – Starting Mediation
Both parties meet together with a trained mediator in a joint session.
Booking Fee for joint appointments:
Before each joint session we ask for part-payment as a non-refundable Booking Fee of £50 payable in advance to secure your joint session which is deducted from the session fee with the remainder paid at the meeting.
Hourly session fees (per person on a sliding scale dependent upon gross annual income).
Up to £20k – £105
£20k – £30k – £130
£30k – £40k – £155
Over £40k – £180
Stage 5 – Providing you with an outcome statement
This is FREE for children’s matters and costs £150 for financial issues.
Note: if we see children as part of the mediation process, we charge £60 per session unless legal Aid applies
Providing court forms to show that mediation was considered (no mediation sessions) or was attempted and has broken down
The charge for this is £105 but again free if you qualify for Legal Aid.
Copies of old documents £20 per copy
Any queries contact us at admin@childrenfirstfamilymediation.org.uk or ring 0161 763 8793