By Leah Caldwell | Family & Children | March 2025

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How to choose a mediator

When facing an unwelcome dispute, finding the best mediator for your case can feel like another hurdle on the production line. Choosing the right one can make all the difference in resolving issues calmly, efficiently and effectively, whether you’re in the midst of a family disagreement or civil conflict. This guide will act as a straightforward blueprint for how to find a mediator who will understand your situation, empathise with you and guide you towards a positive resolution.

If you’re ready to find the right mediator for your dispute, Contact us now to get started.

What is mediation and why does it matter?

Mediation is a process by which two different parties can resolve their dispute in a mutually agreeable way. It utilises an impartial and unbiased third party–a mediator–to achieve this. Whereas court proceedings are often expensive and highly stressful, mediation is typically more cost-effective and creates less animosity between parties. It’s also quicker. Whether you’re dealing with family or civil disputes, mediation provides a non-confrontational, hands-off guide to help you reach a satisfactory resolution. If you’d like more information on the process, check out this overview of mediation.

What are your mediation needs?

Before choosing a mediator, it’s a good idea to evaluate your needs and wants for the process. Think about the specific type of dispute that’s ongoing and what outcomes you would like from it. If you have a family conflict, you may want a mediator with a counselling or family law background.

What is the nature of your dispute?

The type of dispute that you’re dealing with should heavily impact which mediator you choose. For instance, child arrangements or divorce agreements will often involve highly emotional dynamics that demand a patient, experienced mediator skilled in handling sensitive conversations with empathy and without judgement. In civil or business disputes, you may want a mediator with legal experience in, or with industry-specific knowledge that will give them valuable insights into your case. Identifying the unique characteristics of your dispute will help ensure the mediator you select is the right one to guide both parties towards a resolution that meets both client’s needs.

Choosing the right mediator for your needs

Selecting the right mediator involves balancing qualifications, experience, relevant skills and interpersonal capabilities. Checking credentials and reading reviews can go a long way to giving you insight into a mediator’s record and approach.

Key qualities to look for in a mediator

An effective mediator should have these key qualities:

• Strong communication skills: To make sure both parties feel heard.
• Impartiality: To maintain neutrality throughout the process.
• Problem-Solving expertise: To craft practical and satisfying solutions for both parties.

Need help finding the right mediator? Contact us today to discuss your needs.

Mediator credentials and certification

It’s essential to verify that a family mediator is registered with the Family Mediation Council (FMC) before you use them. Without this, the mediator you are using is unregulated. Ideally they should also be accredited as this means they have passed all their training and are an experienced family mediator. This can be confirmed through the FMC’s official database.

Mediator expertise and experience

To navigate both the emotional and legal aspects of your case effectively, the mediator will need to have the relevant training and experience. For family disputes, a background in law or therapy (or both, ideally) is advantageous. Qualifications and experience in these domains can be invaluable in helping mediators guide your parties to a satisfactory resolution.

How much does mediation cost?

The cost of mediation can vary depending on the mediator’s experience and how complex your dispute is. The Family Mediation Council quotes the average costs for family mediation as being between £130 and £170 per person per hour. Civil mediations, which follow a different process, are usually more expensive.

Who usually pays for mediation?

Usually, both parties will split the cost of mediation equally. There are some factors that might change this, however:

• Legal Aid eligibility (For Family Mediation only): If one party is eligible for legal aid, they may not have to pay for mediation.
• Court-Ordered civil mediation: If a court mandates mediation for a case before it goes to trial, the court may direct one party to cover the costs if that party has significantly greater financial resources than the other.

Conclusion

The first step towards ensuring that your mediation ends with a satisfying outcome for both parties is choosing the right mediator. Before you do, remember to:

• Check their qualifications and experience.
• Ensure they have expertise that is well suited to the nature of your conflict.
• Look for valuable qualities like communication and impartiality.

Explore how Mediation First can support your needs with expert services tailored to your situation. For more insights, read our blog on what mediation entails.

What type of mediator do I need?

Type of Dispute	Possible Attributes for Mediator
Family disputes	Mediator skilled in handling emotionally-charged disputes, sensitive conversations and family law.
Child custody agreements	Mediator experienced in family mediation, with a focus on empathy and impartiality.
Divorce settlements	Mediator familiar with family law and financial agreements, with strong conflict-resolution skills.
Workplace disputes	Mediator knowledgeable in employment law, organisational policies and workplace standards.
Commercial/business disputes	Mediator with expertise in contract law, financial agreements, or industry-specific knowledge.
Intellectual property issues	Mediator experienced in IP law and technical industry nuances.
Construction disputes	Mediator familiar with construction law, contracts and industry standards.
Community disputes	Mediator with strong communication skills and experience in resolving local disagreements.
Healthcare conflicts	Mediator knowledgeable in medical ethics, patient care and legal regulations.

Get in touch using our online form, or contact us by phone or email:

Tel: 0330 320 7600
Email: office@mediationfirst.co.uk.