Family mediation in Scotland

If you're separating in Scotland, family mediation can help you and your co-parent agree arrangements for your children, and sometimes finances, without going to court. Relationships Scotland is the country's largest family mediation provider, with services nationwide.

Mediation is voluntary and confidential. A trained, neutral mediator helps you both talk things through and reach your own agreement. You can also set out the practical details in a voluntary Parenting Plan.

Scotland does things its own way. There is no equivalent of the English MIAM requirement on mygov.scot's guidance; mediation is described as voluntary, and the route to a binding agreement runs through a separation agreement rather than a consent order. There is also a wider circle of people who can take part, including grandparents and step-parents. Here is what the official guidance says.

• Three main routes are signposted: Relationships Scotland, CALM Scotland, whose mediators are lawyer-mediators, and the Scottish Mediation directory of accredited mediators (mygov.scot).
• Mediation is voluntary; both of you have to agree to take part, and it might not be appropriate in certain cases, for example if there has been domestic abuse (mygov.scot).
• If you want what you agreed to be legally binding, you ask a solicitor to draw up a separation agreement (mygov.scot).
• Relationships Scotland's local services cover all parts of mainland and island Scotland, and mediation is open to you whether you are married, unmarried, divorced, separated or never lived together; grandparents and step-parents can also take part (relationships-scotland.org.uk).
• One thing to check early: the cost depends on which mediation service you use and the type of problem you have, so ask about fees when you first get in touch (mygov.scot).

Checked August 2026 against mygov.scot and relationships-scotland.org.uk.

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential way to sort out arrangements without going to court. A trained, neutral mediator helps you both reach your own agreement.

• It is usually quicker and cheaper than court, and you can stop at any time.
• Sessions can be held separately if being in the same room is difficult.
• The mediator does not take sides or give legal advice.
• You can still get your own legal advice alongside mediation.