Last updated: March 2026
by Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy at Mediate UK. Checked for accuracy by Belinda Atkins, Managing Director at Family Legal Ltd. Information reflects current family law and mediation requirements as of 25 March 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Grandparents in England and Wales do not have an automatic legal right to see their grandchildren, even in London.
- Before making a court application, grandparents usually need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) first.
- Family mediation in London can help grandparents and parents reach a lasting agreement without the cost and stress of court proceedings.
- If mediation is not appropriate or breaks down, grandparents can apply to the court, but they must first seek the court’s permission (known as “leave”) before doing so.
- London Mediation Service offers confidential, professional mediation from offices in Waterloo, St Pancras, and Sutton.
Grandparents Rights Mediation London
Grandparents in London can use family mediation to seek contact with their grandchildren when direct communication with the parents has broken down. Mediation offers a confidential, structured space where all parties can discuss arrangements with the help of a trained mediator, often avoiding the need to go to court. It tends to be quicker, less expensive, and less damaging to family relationships than formal court proceedings.
Grandparents’ Rights London: Can Mediation Help?
If you are a grandparent in London who has been stopped from seeing your grandchildren, you are not alone. Thousands of grandparents across the UK find themselves cut off from their grandchildren following a family breakdown, whether that is a divorce, separation, or a falling out with the children’s parents. Knowing where to turn, and what your options actually are, can feel overwhelming.
This guide explains what legal rights grandparents have in England, how grandparents rights mediation in London works in practice, and when it might be the right choice for your family. We also cover what happens if mediation is not successful, and how to take things further if needed.
Do Grandparents Have Legal Rights to See Their Grandchildren?
This surprises many people: in England and Wales, grandparents do not have an automatic legal right to contact with their grandchildren. Unlike a parent, a grandparent cannot simply make an application to the family court for a Child Arrangements Order. Under Section 10 of the Children Act 1989, grandparents must first apply to the court for “leave” (which means permission) before their case can even be heard.
Courts will grant leave if they are satisfied that the application is not frivolous and that there is a genuine case to be considered. In practice, most grandparents who have had a meaningful relationship with their grandchildren are granted leave, but it is an extra step that parents do not face, and it adds time and cost to the process.
When deciding any application involving a child, the court’s primary focus is always the child’s welfare. The welfare checklist under the Children Act 1989 guides the court to look at factors such as the child’s wishes and feelings (depending on age), their physical and emotional needs, and any harm they may have suffered or be at risk of. You can read more about how the court weighs these factors in this guide to the welfare checklist.
Why Many Grandparents in London Choose Mediation First
Going to court is rarely the best first step for grandparents, or for anyone involved in a family dispute. It is costly, time-consuming, and can make already difficult family relationships significantly worse. Family court proceedings in London can take many months, and even if you are successful, a court order only works well when everyone involved is willing to work together.
Family mediation in London offers a very different approach. Rather than putting the decision in a judge’s hands, mediation gives the adults involved the opportunity to talk through the situation with the support of a trained, impartial mediator. The goal is to reach a voluntary agreement that works for the children and for everyone in the family.
For grandparents, mediation can be particularly valuable. It creates a space to explain how much the relationship with their grandchildren means to them, to hear the parents’ concerns without things escalating into an argument, and to explore what contact arrangements might look like going forward. Often, the parents’ concerns are not about the grandparents themselves but about wider circumstances, and mediation can help to address those concerns directly.
London Mediation Service has worked with many families in exactly this situation. Our mediators are experienced in handling sensitive family disputes, including those involving grandparents, and we provide sessions from our offices in Waterloo, St Pancras, and Sutton.
“We see grandparents in our London offices regularly, and the emotion involved is always clear. What mediation gives them is a voice. It allows grandparents to be heard without the formal hostility of court proceedings, and in many cases the parents are far more open to reaching an agreement than anyone expected. When everyone genuinely wants what is best for the children, that common ground becomes the foundation for something workable.”
Jess Knauf, Director of Client Strategy, Mediate UK
Worried about losing contact with your grandchildren in London?
London Mediation Service can help you explore your options. Book a free 15-minute call to talk through your situation before deciding on next steps.
Grandparents’ Rights London: What Happens in a Grandparent Mediation Session?
Mediation sessions involving grandparents tend to follow a similar format to other family mediation, but with some important differences. Here is what to expect:
Step 1: The MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting)
Before joint mediation sessions begin, everyone involved will usually attend a MIAM, either individually or together. This is a one-to-one meeting with a mediator where you discuss your situation, find out whether mediation is suitable, and learn about the process. If you are planning to make a court application, you are required by law to attend a MIAM first in most circumstances, under the Children and Families Act 2014. Our MIAM London guide explains the full process in plain language.
Step 2: Joint Sessions
If mediation is appropriate, the grandparent and the parents (usually one or both) attend joint sessions with the mediator. The mediator does not take sides or make decisions. Their role is to help everyone communicate clearly, identify the key issues, and explore possible solutions. Sessions typically last around 90 minutes and most cases are resolved within two to four sessions.
Step 3: Reaching an Agreement
If the parties reach an agreement, the mediator can record it in a document called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This is not automatically legally binding, but it carries significant weight as a record of what everyone has agreed. You can read more about mediated agreements and how to make them legally binding on the Mediate UK website.
Case Study: A Grandmother in Islington Reconnects with Her Grandchildren
Following the breakdown of her son’s marriage, a grandmother in Islington found that her daughter-in-law had stopped all contact with the children. Tensions had been running high for months, and letters and phone calls were going unanswered. Rather than going straight to court, she contacted London Mediation Service at our St Pancras office. After three joint sessions, the family agreed on a schedule of fortnightly visits, school holiday stays, and a birthday arrangement for both sets of grandparents. All parties said they preferred the outcome to anything a court might have ordered, and the children remained settled and secure throughout. (Details have been changed to protect privacy.)
Do Grandparents Need a MIAM Before Going to Court in London?
In most cases, yes. Before making any application to the family court, including a leave application as a grandparent, you are required to attend a MIAM. The court will ask for a MIAM certificate as confirmation that this has been done. There are some limited exemptions, such as where there is evidence of domestic abuse or where the matter is genuinely urgent, but these are relatively narrow. You can check the full list of MIAM exemptions here.
For many grandparents, the MIAM is actually the point at which they decide that full mediation is worth trying before pursuing a court application. It is a low-commitment, relatively affordable starting point that often leads to better outcomes than going straight to a judge.
Family Law Service
Need Legal Advice on Child Arrangements as a Grandparent?
Family Law Service offers a one-hour fixed-fee legal advice session on child arrangements, including grandparent contact and leave applications. It is a helpful way to understand your legal position before deciding whether to go to court.
When Might Court Be the Right Route for Grandparents?
Mediation is not always possible. If one party refuses to engage, if there are safeguarding concerns, or if attempts at mediation have genuinely broken down, going to court may be the appropriate next step. In London, family court hearings are dealt with by the Family Court sitting at various locations across the capital, including Barnet, Bromley, and the Central Family Court in High Holborn.
As noted above, grandparents must first apply for leave under Section 10 of the Children Act 1989. When considering whether to grant leave, the court will look at the connection between the grandparent and the child, the nature of the proposed application, and whether there is any risk of harm arising from the application being made. If leave is granted, the grandparent can then make a full application for a Child Arrangements Order, which can specify when and how they see the children.
If you are considering the court route, it can be helpful to get a clear picture of how child arrangements work in practice before you begin. Understanding the likely process and timeline will help you make an informed decision about whether court proceedings are right for your situation.
Mediation vs Court for Grandparents: A Quick Comparison
| Mediation | Court | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Typically a few hundred pounds per session | Can run into thousands, especially with solicitors |
| Speed | Weeks to a few months | Often 6 to 12 months or longer |
| Control | Parties shape the outcome themselves | Decision made by a judge |
| Privacy | Fully confidential | Court record; less private |
| Impact on relationships | Often preserves or improves relationships | Can cause lasting damage |
| Legal requirement | MIAM required before court; mediation itself voluntary | Grandparents must apply for leave first |
Summary
Grandparents in London do not have an automatic right to see their grandchildren, but that does not mean there is nothing they can do. Family mediation is often the most effective first step, offering a confidential and affordable way to reach an agreement without going to court. A MIAM is the usual starting point, and in many cases the full mediation process resolves things within a matter of weeks.
If mediation is not appropriate, or if it does not lead to an agreement, grandparents can apply to the court for leave to make a formal application. London Mediation Service can help at every stage of this process, from your initial MIAM through to support if the matter goes to court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can grandparents apply for mediation in London on their own?
Yes. Grandparents can contact London Mediation Service directly and attend a MIAM to find out whether mediation is suitable. The mediator will then contact the other parties (usually the parents) to invite them to take part. Mediation cannot be forced, but many families agree to try it once the process is explained to them.
What is the success rate of grandparent mediation?
Family mediation across all case types has a settlement rate of around 70% where both parties engage in the process. Grandparent cases can be more complex due to the additional layer of relationships involved, but where everyone is willing to talk, mediation frequently results in an agreed arrangement for the children.
How much does grandparent mediation cost in London?
Costs vary depending on the provider, but a MIAM typically costs between £100 and £200 per person. Joint mediation sessions are usually charged per session, with each party contributing. Some funding may be available through the government’s family mediation voucher scheme, which offers up to £500 towards the cost of mediation. See the voucher scheme guide for more details, and check Mediate UK’s current pricing for London sessions.
What if one parent refuses to take part in mediation?
Mediation is voluntary, so it cannot be forced. If a parent refuses to engage, the mediator will issue a MIAM certificate confirming that mediation was considered but was not suitable or was declined. This certificate is required when making a court application, so refusing mediation does not prevent the process from moving forward.
Can a grandparent get a legally binding contact agreement through mediation?
A mediated agreement is not automatically legally binding, but it can be recorded in a Memorandum of Understanding. If both parties want the agreement to be legally enforceable, they can ask a solicitor to apply to the court to have it turned into a consent order. This is usually a straightforward process where there is an agreement in place.
Is mediation suitable if there are safeguarding concerns?
Where there are genuine safeguarding concerns, such as a risk of harm to the children or allegations of abuse, mediation may not be appropriate. The mediator will assess this during the MIAM and will advise on alternative options, including directing you to the relevant support services or Cafcass where needed.
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Ready to Take the Next Step?
London Mediation Service helps grandparents and families across London find a way forward. Whether you want to book a MIAM, speak to us informally first, or find out more about our Waterloo, St Pancras, and Sutton offices, we are here to help.