Legal Aid is available for family mediation if you are financially eligible.
If you qualify for Legal Aid then your mediation fees for the MIAM and any joint sessions will be covered by the Legal Aid Agency. Even if only one of you is eligible for Legal Aid, the fees for the MIAM and the first joint session for the other person will be paid for by the Legal Aid Agency. Our Family Mediators will assess your eligibility for Legal Aid if you request it at your first meeting. See our section Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting .
To be assessed for Legal Aid you will need to provide the following documents (which are relevant to you). If you are living with a partner then you will also need to provide evidence of their income.
- If you are in receipt of Income Support, Income based JSA, Income based ESA or Guarantee Credit you will automatically be eligible for Legal Aid. You will need to provide your most recent benefit letter (which must be less than 6 months old) and your last month’s bank statement. The name and type of benefit you receive must be specified on the letter and bank statement.
- If your monthly family income is under £2,657 and you do not have over £8000 in savings, your mediator will need the following evidence (where relevant) to assess your eligibility:-
* If you are employed and paid four weekly or monthly, your last wage-slip. If paid weekly, your last five wage-slips.
* If you are self-employed your last two years’ accounts and your most recent self-assessment tax return.
* If you are in receipt of Contribution based JSA or ESA, your most recent benefit letter (which must be less than 6 months old) and your last month’s bank statement. The name and type of benefit you receive must be specified on the letter and bank statement.
* If you are in receipt of Child and/or Working Tax Credit, your most recent award letter (which must be less than 6 months old) and your last month’s bank statement. The name and type of benefit you receive must be specified on the letter and bank statement.
* Bank statements for all accounts for the last 5 weeks.
* If you make mortgage or rent payments, evidence of the payments (e.g. your bank statement for the last 5 weeks).
* If you pay for child care, evidence of the payments (e.g. receipts or your bank statement for the last 5 weeks).
* If you pay or receive any child maintenance evidence of the payments (e.g. CSA/CMS letter and/or bank statement for the last 5 weeks).
- If your monthly family income is over £2,657 and/or you have over £8000 in savings, you will not be eligible for Legal Aid.
Where can I find out more?
You can find out more about family mediation from the Family Mediation Council or the Family Mediators Association.
You can check if you may be eligible for legal aid under current criteria with the Gov.uk Legal Aid checker https://www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid.
