Family Mediation in norfolk including Legal aid and voucher

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Family breakdown can be an emotionally challenging experience. For residents across Norfolk—from Norwich and King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth and the surrounding areas—Family Mediation provides a practical, respectful, and cost-effective method to resolve disputes, focusing on the future stability of the family.

By working with an impartial, accredited mediator, you retain control over your decisions regarding your children and finances, rather than having them imposed by a court.

The Essential First Step: The MIAM

The Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM)is the mandatory starting point for most family court applications in Norfolk (and all of England and Wales).

• What is it? It is a confidential meeting, usually held individually,  between you and a Family Mediation Council (FMC) accredited mediator.
• The Purpose: The mediator will explain the mediation process, its costs, and alternative dispute resolution options. Crucially, they will assess whether mediation is suitable for your situation, especially by screening for any risk of domestic abuse or child protection concerns.
• Court Access: If mediation is unsuitable or if the other party refuses to attend, the mediator will sign the necessary court form (e.g., C100 or Form A) to allow you to take your application to the Family Court.

Core Issues Addressed in Norfolk Mediation

Amity Norfolk-based mediators are specialists in facilitating agreements across all areas of family dispute:

• Child Arrangements: Creating a workable Parenting Plan that outlines where children live, when they spend time with each parent, holidays, birthdays, and establishing long-term communication strategies. The children's welfare is always the central consideration.
• Financial & Property Settlements: Dealing with the division of matrimonial assets following divorce or separation. This includes the family home, mortgages, pensions, savings, debt, and establishing spousal or child maintenance.
• Drafting Agreements: Upon reaching a consensus, the mediator can draft the necessary documents (a Memorandum of Understanding for finances and a Parenting Plan for children) for you to take to a solicitor to formalise as a legally binding Consent Order.

Financial Support for Mediation

Mediation is significantly less expensive than litigation. Several schemes exist to help Norfolk families with the cost:

Funding Option

Legal Aid

Low income and capital (savings below £8,000 or receipt of qualifying benefits (e.g., Universal Credit).

If one person qualifies, both parties receive a free MIAM and the first joint mediation session is also free.

Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

Available for cases concerning child arrangements (and/or financial issues if children are involved).

Provides a government-backed contribution of up to £500  towards the cost of your joint mediation sessions.

Private Fees

If neither party qualifies for Legal Aid.

Fees are significantly lower than solicitor and court fees, often resolving matters for a fraction of the cost of litigation.

Amity Norfolk Mediation Service Locations

Amity Family Mediation Council (FMC) accredited services are available throughout Norfolk, often offering a mix of in-person and online (Zoom/Teams) appointments for convenience and flexibility.

• Key Locations: Amity offer face-to-face appointments in major towns, including:
  • Norwich  
  • King's Lynn
  • Great Yarmouth
  • Dereham & Swaffham

Online mediation is now common and highly effective, allowing you to connect with a Amity Norfolk-based mediator regardless of your specific location in the county.

Area's Covered

Diss Thetford Norwich Great Yarmouth Kings Lynn Dereham, Thetford, Swaffham, Downham Market, Cromer, Sherringham, Hunstanton, Wymondham, Fakenham

Amity  FMC accredited Family Mediation service in the Norwich area offering Legal Aid and voucher services.

 Norfolk is a large county in the East of England known for its flat, low-lying landscapes, significant agricultural output, and its long, unspoiled coastline. The county's major urban centre and administrative hub is the historic city of Norwich, a cultural and economic powerhouse famous for its magnificent cathedral, medieval streets (the Lanes), and two universities. A defining feature of Norfolk is The Broads National Park, a network of scenic rivers and lakes popular for boating and wildlife. Other significant towns include the historic port and commercial centre of King's Lynn in the west; Great Yarmouth, a traditional and popular seaside resort on the east coast; and the busy market town of Thetford. Norfolk combines its busy coastal tourist areas with vast stretches of rural tranquility, making it a county that strongly balances agriculture and leisure. 

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