Legal Aid for Family Mediation
Legal Aid can sometimes pay for family mediation — but not through me. This page explains, honestly, how Legal Aid works, how to check whether you might qualify, and what to do next either way.
The short version: Becky Taylor Mediation is a private service. I don't hold a Legal Aid contract, so I can't assess you for Legal Aid or carry out mediation under it. Legal Aid for mediation does still exist — if you may qualify, the right next step is a mediator who holds a contract, and I'll show you exactly how to find one below.
Could you qualify?
Legal Aid for family mediation is means-tested. There's no single income figure that decides it — the assessment can look at:
- your income, and sometimes your partner's;
- whether you receive certain benefits;
- savings and other capital;
- property, including a home you own; and
- your circumstances — for example, where there has been domestic abuse.
You don't need to work any of this out yourself. The official government checker asks the questions and tells you whether Legal Aid is likely — it takes a few minutes and commits you to nothing.
Check Legal Aid eligibility on GOV.UK →
If the checker says you may qualify
The checker is an indication, not a decision — the final assessment is made by a mediator who holds a Legal Aid contract. If you're likely to qualify, it's worth asking a provider before paying anyone: if Legal Aid is granted, it can cover your MIAM and your mediation with them.
Find a Legal Aid family mediation provider (official GOV.UK search) →
Only a contracted provider can make the assessment and claim the funding — it can't be transferred to a private mediator like me. Asking costs nothing.
Legal Aid and the £500 voucher are different things
People often mix these up. They're two separate government schemes, and you can be eligible for one, both, or neither.
| Legal Aid | £500 mediation voucher | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Means-tested funding for the whole mediation | A fixed contribution of up to £500 per case |
| Means test | Yes — income, benefits, savings and property all count | No means test |
| What it covers | MIAM and mediation sessions | Mediation sessions only (not the MIAM) in cases involving children |
| Who provides it | Only a mediator with a Legal Aid contract | Accredited mediators who take part — including me |
| Can I use it with Becky Taylor? | No — I don't hold a contract | Yes — I apply for it on your behalf |
If only one of you qualifies for Legal Aid
Under the current rules, if one of you is assessed as eligible for Legal Aid, the funding covers the MIAM and the first mediation session for both of you. The person who doesn't qualify pays only for any sessions after the first. This only works through a Legal Aid provider — it can't be transferred to a private mediator — so if one of you has been assessed as eligible, you'd both need to use that provider.
Rules and amounts do change, so the provider you approach will confirm how it applies to you.
What you can do with me
If Legal Aid isn't an option — or you'd simply rather move forward now — my fees are published in full, there's a cost calculator that estimates your total in 30 seconds, and for cases involving children I can apply for the £500 government voucher on your behalf.
See my fees → · Estimate your costs →
Questions people ask
Is Legal Aid still available for family mediation?
Yes. In England and Wales, where you qualify, Legal Aid can cover the MIAM and mediation sessions — but only through a mediator who holds a Legal Aid contract.
Do I have to be on benefits to qualify?
No. Certain benefits are one route to qualifying, but people who work can qualify too. The assessment looks at income, savings and property together, with different rules in some circumstances — for example where there has been domestic abuse.
Can you tell me if I qualify?
No — and I'd rather not guess. Only a provider with a Legal Aid contract can assess you. The official GOV.UK checker gives a reliable first answer in a few minutes, free.
Can I use the £500 voucher with you instead?
Possibly, yes — the voucher is a separate scheme, it isn't means-tested, and I take part in it. It gives up to £500 towards mediation where the case involves children, though it doesn't pay for the MIAM.
This page is general information about family mediation, not legal advice about your situation, and not a Legal Aid eligibility assessment. Only a mediator or adviser holding a Legal Aid contract can carry out an assessment.