Divorce mediation cost UK
Divorce mediation vs solicitors: the UK cost comparison
Traditional family mediation is billed per person, per session, with the MIAM and the written agreement charged separately — commonly running into the low thousands for a financial case. Online divorce mediation here is £99 to open the case and £299 when you reach full agreement, paid once instead of by the hour.
Below: a plain-English comparison with a solicitor-led divorce, including the court fees you pay either way.
How much does an online divorce actually save?
Every case is different, but these are the ranges most UK couples see when we compare quotes side by side.
| Traditional solicitor | GoMediation.ai | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | £500–£2,000 retainer | £99 to open a room |
| Full agreement cost | £2,000–£10,000+ per person | £299 on full agreement |
| Time to agreement | 3–18 months | Days to a few weeks |
| Court appearances | Sometimes required | None |
| Available | Office hours | 24/7 online |
| Languages | Usually English only | 20 languages, real-time |
| Written agreement (MOU) | Yes | Yes — plain English |
| Consent Order filing | Solicitor files (£600–£1,500 + £62 court fee) | You file yourself (£62 court fee) or use a solicitor |
| Typical all-in cost | £2,000 – £10,000+ | £398 + £62 court fee |
Court fees quoted are the HMCTS fees at time of writing: £62 Consent Order, £628 divorce application. Solicitor ranges based on published UK price guides.
No hourly billing
You pay one fixed price to open a room and one fixed price when you both agree. No clock ticking on emails or phone calls.
You stay in control
Nothing is decided without both of you agreeing. The AI mediator helps you find common ground — it doesn't take sides.
Weeks, not months
Most couples reach a signed Memorandum of Understanding in days. You can then file a Consent Order yourself if you want it made binding.
FAQs
- How much does divorce mediation cost in the UK?
- Traditional family mediation is charged per person per session, with the MIAM and the written outcome documents billed separately — a typical financial case runs to several hundred pounds a session over three to five sessions. Online divorce mediation on GoMediation.ai is £99 to open the case and £299 on full agreement, paid once rather than by the hour.
- Who pays for divorce mediation?
- Most couples split the cost equally, but you can agree any other arrangement — paying in proportion to income, from a joint account, or out of the final settlement. Paying does not change the mediator's impartiality.
- Is online divorce mediation legally binding?
- The signed Memorandum of Understanding you produce at the end of GoMediation.ai is a formal written record of what you've agreed. To turn the financial terms into a binding court order in England & Wales, you (or a solicitor) file it as a Consent Order with HMCTS (£62 court fee).
- Do I need a MIAM certificate to use online divorce mediation?
- No. A MIAM (Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting) is only required if you later apply to the family court and no exemption applies. You can start GoMediation.ai immediately — see our MIAM guide for the full detail.
- How much does traditional divorce with solicitors cost in the UK?
- Fully contested divorces routinely cost £2,000–£10,000+ per person in solicitor fees, and can climb well past £30,000 if the finances go to a final hearing. Even an 'amicable' solicitor-drafted Consent Order typically costs £600–£1,500.
- What if we can't agree everything online?
- You can pause at any time. Anything you've already agreed is captured in your draft MOU and can be taken to a solicitor or accredited family mediator — you don't start from scratch.