How much does mediation cost?
Private mediators commonly charge by the hour or the day, family mediation runs to thousands, and free community and court schemes exist in every jurisdiction — but the answer depends heavily on where you are. These guides break down the real numbers, the free routes worth checking first, and where a $5-a-seat AI mediator fits for two-party money disputes.
Australia
Private mediators in Australia commonly charge $200–$500 an hour, and a full-day private session commonly runs $2,800–$3,500 plus GST and venue hire.
The UK
Family mediation in the UK commonly costs £130–£170 per person per hour, with the initial MIAM around £115–£180 plus VAT — and a £500 government voucher covers child-arrangement mediation for eligible cases.
The United States
Private mediators in the US commonly charge $100–$350 an hour, with attorney-mediators at $250–$500 — and high-end commercial panels cost substantially more.
The $5 alternative for money disputes
For a two-party dispute that comes down to money and conditions, the Negotiately AI mediator costs $5 a seat: each side shares its bottom line in confidence — sealed by code, never revealed — and the mediator works the gap and closes with a written Deal Memo.